Concerns raised over building's safety
The portion of the slab at Collectorate building which collapsed at the Quepem deputy collectorate building.
SANGUEM
A portion of the rear slab of the Deputy Collectorate building in Quepem collapsed on Thursday, raising serious concerns over the structural safety of the government office building.
According to sources, the portion of the rear slab fell behind the building and no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident. Employees and members of the public visiting the premises were unharmed.
Immediately after the incident, Deputy Collector Manohar Karekar directed PWD authorities who look after the maintenance of the building to undertake the repair work of the damaged slab within 48 hours to prevent any untoward incident
The single-storey building, which houses the important government offices including the Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, excise department, and sub registrar, is reportedly in a dilapidated condition, with visible cracks having developed across several sections on the rear side of the structure.
In addition, portions of the concrete slab have worn out and deteriorated at many places, exposing the ageing condition of the building.
The collapse has intensified concerns among staff and visitors, with many pointing out that the structure has shown signs of distress for some time. The incident has highlighted the urgent need for a detailed structural assessment and immediate intervention by the concerned authorities.
Locals visiting the building premises have called for the reconstruction of the building premises, stating that temporary repairs may not be sufficient given the extent of deterioration. They have urged the government to take prompt action to ensure the safety of employees and the public frequenting the Deputy Collectorate office.
