Nearly a year after collapse incidents sparked panic, authorities act ahead of the monsoon season
A JCB machine at work to raze down the dangerous portion of balcony of Holy Family building near Cine Lata.
MARGAO
Almost a year after portions of the balconies and chajjas of the Holy Family building near Cine Lata road in Margao came crashing down, the Public Works Department (PWD) on Thursday finally initiated demolition of the dangerous overhanging structures following directions from the South Goa District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
Heavy machinery deployed by the PWD moved in early Thursday morning to raze the unsafe portions of the Holy Family building, which authorities said posed an imminent threat to pedestrians and motorists using the busy stretch. Officials said a similar demolition drive was scheduled for late Thursday night at the nearby Dias building, another structure identified as hazardous during a recent inspection.
The action comes against the backdrop of growing public concern over the deteriorating condition of several old buildings in Margao ahead of the monsoon season.
Last year, portions of the balconies and chajjas of both the Holy Family and Dias buildings had collapsed onto public roads during the onset of the monsoons, triggering panic among residents and commuters. The incident near the busy Pimpalkatta road had also resulted in damage to a couple of vehicles after debris from the Dias building crashed onto the street.
The incidents had drawn sharp criticism from the public, with many questioning the delay in taking preventive measures despite visible structural deterioration. In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, authorities had barricaded portions of the roads and restricted movement near the affected buildings to avert further mishaps.
A recent pre-monsoon preparedness inspection carried out by a team of officials led by Margao Deputy Collector Ganesh Barve once again flagged the dangerous condition of the remaining overhanging balconies and chajjas of the two buildings. The inspection report noted that the balance portions of the structures had become unstable and required urgent demolition to prevent a possible tragedy.
In an order issued earlier, South Goa Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Egna Cleetus, had observed that the remaining portions of the balconies and chajjas were in a “dangerous condition” and posed a serious threat to public safety.
“The existence of such dangerous and unstable overhanging portions poses a serious threat to public safety, especially during the ensuing monsoon season, thereby warranting immediate preventive action under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005,” the order stated.
Authorities said the demolition exercise was being undertaken as a precautionary measure to eliminate risks before heavy monsoon rains lash the region.
