MARGAO
A portion of an old building at the busy Chinchinim market collapsed on Sunday morning, triggering a scare in the locality.
No one, however, was injured in the incident. As a precautionary measure, the Chinchinim Panchayat have ordered the two establishments, a hotel and a grocery store, to immediately vacate the premises.
The incident is believed to have occurred in the morning when the roof of the building gave way due to the heavy rains. Locals pointed out that people normally swarm around the building during the morning hours at the hotel and grocery store.
Chinchinm Sarpanch Valentino Barretto told the media that the roof of the building has collapsed because of the heavy rains. He said the building was declared unsafe in the past, but it could not be demolished since the matter is pending in the court and is sub judice
Taking no chances, the Sarpanch said the shop owners have been told to vacate the premises immediately, adding that the Panchayat has further intimated the matter to the disaster management team as well as the Mamlatdar. “Fortunately, the building collapse has not resulted in a casualty or has left anyone injured”, he said.
To a question, the Sarpanch said the electrical connections of the two establishments operating on the ground floor have been disconnected as a precautionary measure. “We have told the talathi to assess the situation and damage. The Police have been requested to barricade the entire area to stop people from going near the shops”, he said.
Saying the property is question is an evacuee property and the matter is complicated, the Sarpanch said the panchayat would wait for the district Collector to issue further instructions “If the Collector, South passes an order for the demolition of the building, the panchayat would execute the order”, the Sarpanch added.
Saying the PWD has been requested to conduct a structural stability test on the building, Valentino said further action in the matter will be initiated as per the instructions of the district authorities.
Cuncolim fire brigade pointed out that the building may collapse any time since its condition is dangerous, adding that the authorities should immediately barricade the entire area as a precautionary measure.
