PANAJI
As pre-monsoon rains drenched Goa and South West Monsoon ahead of schedule, two crumbling government buildings -- Junta House and the Social Welfare Department -- continue to face the risk of collapse.
Despite repeated safety concerns for occupants and pedestrians, day-to-day operations continue unabated.
The danger extends not only to human life but also to crucial official records and equipment housed within.
At Junta House, the sprawling complex of four blocks rising seven storeys high and home to numerous government offices, the interiors of this structure have seen rainwater cascading down walls and stairwells.
Government sources confirmed to The Goan that while demolition is already approved, alternate premises for these offices have delayed the process.
“The government has already given a go-ahead for the demolition. The process is delayed because there are no alternative premises to shift these offices. Search is ongoing but until suitable space is found, we have no choice but to continue working here,” the source revealed.
A similar dilemma haunts the head office of the Social Welfare Department, located in a 121-year-old Portuguese-era building that has steadily deteriorated over time. While the government had announced plans to relocate the department to a new facility at the Goa Housing Board complex in Porvorim, the shifting has taken a pause.
The source, however, claimed that the work is underway. “The work on the new premises is in progress. Our officers are closely monitoring the development. The department will shift soon,” he said.
In July 2024, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had announced that the shifting process was underway while clarifying that since this building is a notified heritage structure, only restoration -- not demolition -- can be carried out. Junta House, on the other hand, was then entangled in a legal dispute.
Subsequently, in August, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai admitted the dire state of the building, citing repeated incidents of falling ceiling plaster that endangered staff and visitors. The government then confirmed that the Public Works Department was carrying out renovations at the new site, including installation of furniture and network infrastructure.
In a major development in November 2024, the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) bagged the contract for a phased redevelopment of six major government properties, including Junta House, the Circuit House at Altinho, the government garage on MG Road, the administrative building at Porvorim, and government quarters at St Inez. The overall project value stands at Rs 10,000 crore, covering a built-up area of 1.8 lakh square metres. The State is not expected to bear any expenditure for the redevelopment.
Apart from housing government offices, the new designs will integrate hotels, commercial spaces, and a mini-convention center at Patto in a bid to boost revenue for the State exchequer.
