MAPUSA
The sudden collapse of part of a concrete slab in an old building two days ago has underscored the critical issue of unsafe structures in Mapusa. This alarming incident has brought to light the numerous precarious buildings within the jurisdiction of the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), raising serious concerns about public safety.
At least a dozen dilapidated buildings and houses have been identified and declared unsafe in Mapusa.
However, civic engineers are struggling to prioritize which of these structures pose the most immediate danger, primarily due to a lack of competent staff to conduct comprehensive structural audits.
A senior engineer from the Mapusa municipality, speaking to The Goan on condition of anonymity, admitted, “We don’t have competent staff to conduct structural audits of buildings to declare them safe or not. The PWD along with the Goa Engineering College normally conducts such audits for the government.”
This admission raises significant questions about the effectiveness and diligence of the authorities in monitoring and addressing the issue of unsafe buildings. The apparent lax approach has left many structures unchecked, potentially putting countless lives at risk.
Mapusa Chairperson Nutan Bicholkar has acknowledged the pressing need for a re-survey to identify all hazardous buildings within the municipal area.
“We will resurvey and identify all such dangerous structures and serve notices to the occupants,” Bicholkar stated.
However, the process of serving notices and ensuring compliance has historically been fraught with challenges. Occupants often refuse to vacate, complicating the efforts of the authorities.
Among the prominent unsafe buildings identified by the MMC are Dempo Mansion, which houses a nationalized bank, Vaz Corner at Tali-vaddo, Ganga Apartments at Feira Alta, Junta Quarters behind Alankar Theatre, Hotel Safari opposite the old municipality, Karekar Building opposite Laxmi Narayan Temple, old Fajanta Building at Feira Alta, and a house next to Remanso Hospital.
Additionally, sources have indicated that Asilo quarters at St. Sebastian Vaddo, Mapusa, are in deplorable condition, yet some staff continue to occupy the premises.
With the onset of the monsoon season, the urgency to address these unsafe structures has escalated. The potential for further damage and incidents during heavy rains has locals deeply concerned.
“It’s not difficult for the civic authorities to take action against the owners of such buildings. The municipality should send notices to the owners to either demolish the structures or the civic body will do so and recover the amount from the owners,” asserted Mahesh Rane, a resident of Khorlim.
As the community and authorities grapple with this pressing issue, there is a growing call for immediate and decisive action to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of the public.
The recent collapse serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that loom if adequate precautions are not taken promptly.
