Overhanging old bank building section razed to prevent collapse in Margao

Workers on the job on Sunday to demolish the dangerous section.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO
Sunday saw workers razing down the dangerous part of the old Bank of Baroda building as part of an exercise to ensure that the overhanging loose portion of the ill-fated building does not collapse on the road below.

The road leading to the Margao Municipal Gandhi market and the New Market was shut at the Govind Poi Raiturcar shop since morning till noon as a precautionary measure to facilitate the workers to remove the debris.

The work comes three days after district Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Egna Cleetus issued directions to the PWD, buildings to immediately demolish the overhanging or any other dangerous part of the building.

The workers used a drill to remove the dangerous parts of the building on the first floor. The debris which fell on the road was cleared by workers and transported away.

A portion of the old Bank of Baroda building had come crashing down over a week ago, leaving a trail of destruction, causing extensive damage to three cars parked alongside the road below.

During a review meeting held on May 27 by the district Collector, her attention was drawn to the overhanging roofs of the old Bank of Baroda and the comunidade building near Margao Municipal Council on the ground that the two buildings are in a dilapidated condition and pose serious safety hazard, being on the verge of collapse.

Saying that it is imperative to precautionary measures in the interest of public safety and well-being, the Collector had exercised of the powers under Section 30 (2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and directed the Executive Engineer, Works Division VIII, (Bldgs) PWD to immediately demolish the overhanging or any other dangerous part of the two buildings.

In fact, the Collector had directed the PWD to commence the work forthwith and complete the same within a period of seven days from the date of issue of the order. The order had mandated the concerned departments to submit a compliance report to the District Disaster Management Authority upon completion of the works.

The cost of the demolition carried out by Executive Engineer, Works Division VIII, (Bldgs) PWD, Fatorda, Goa shall be recovered from the owner of the building by Mamlatdar of Salcete Taluka.

Given that the agencies had raised the issue of funds to execute the work, the Collector had further directed the Executive Engineer, Works Division VIII, (Bldgs) PWD to allocate necessary funds for the purpose, as stipulated under Section 49 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. 

This section mandates that every Ministry or Department of the government should provide funds in its annual budget for implementing activities outlined in its Disaster Management Plan.

Non-compliance with this order shall attract penal consequences as prescribed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Collector had warned.