MARGAO
The South Goa District Disaster Management Authority, headed by district Collector Egna Cleetus, on Wednesday issued directions to the PWD to raze the dangerous portions of the Dias building and Holy Family building in Margao to prevent any collapse or danger to human life and property.
The district Collector issued the order based on a report submitted by the Margao Deputy Collector following an inspection of the buildings by a team of officials from the Margao Municipal Council, PWD, besides the Deputy Collector and Salcete Mamlatdar.
The sajjas/portions of these two buildings had collapsed last year during the monsoon, forcing the authorities to barricade the Pimpalkatta and Cine Lata roads respectively.
In the inspection report, the Deputy Collector pointed out that the balance overhanging portion of the chajja/balcony of the Dias building is in a dangerous condition and requires urgent demolition. Also, with respect to Holy Family House, the report stated that the overhanging portion of the ground floor balcony also requires demolition after providing necessary additional support to the overhanging balcony portion of the remaining shops, in order to prevent any collapse or danger to human life and property.
“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 Collector stated.
While exercising powers conferred upon her under Section 30(2) of the District Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Collector & Chairperson, District Disaster Management Authority, South Goa District, directed the Executive Engineer, Works Division VI (Roads), PWD, Fatorda, Goa, to immediately undertake the necessary demolition/removal of the dangerous overhanging portions of the structures after taking all requisite safety measures and precautions, so as to avert any untoward incident.
In the order, the Executive Engineer, Works Division VI (Roads), PWD, Fatorda, has been directed to provide proper barricading and safety arrangements at the site before commencement of the demolition work.
Besides, directions have been issued to provide necessary support/stabilisation to adjoining portions/shops wherever required prior to demolition.
The Collector further directed that the demolition/remedial work be carried out on priority and completed at the earliest, demanding that a compliance report along with photographs be submitted to the office immediately after completion of the work.
While directing the Executive Engineer, Works Division VI (Roads), PWD, to allocate necessary funds for the aforementioned purpose, as stipulated under Section 49 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Collector warned that non-compliance with the order shall attract penal consequences as prescribed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
