File photo of structures on Hospicio land at Monte Hill.
MARGAO
Will the landslide at Rayesh Chambers, Fatorda last year come as an opener for the authorities, including the district and municipal authorities to crack a whip against constructions on slopping areas?
After a landside left a couple of apartments in Rayesh Chambers, Fatorda damaged during the last monsoon, South Goa district Collector, Egna Cleetus has issued directions to the Water Resources Department under the Disaster Management Act to construct a retaining wall of 100 metres at the site with immediate effect.
Invoking powers Section 30, 33, 34 and 65 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the district Collector has directed the Executive Engineer, WRD to construct a retaining wall of 100 metres at the site at Fatorda and ensure the design and construction adhere to relevant engineering standards and specifications for slope stabilisation.
The moot question, however, remains unanswered. While the Collector’s order will help prevent further landslide at the site and save around 200 houses as per Salcete Mamlatdar’s assessment, questions are raised whether the incident will be a wakeup call for the authorities to crack a whip against constructions and tampering of sloping land.
Take the case of the constructions that have come up on the Hospicio land at Monte Hill. Hospicio district hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Rajendra Borkar had been knocking the doors of the Margao Municipal Council to initiate action against the structures and shanties that have surfaced on the Health Department’s property at Monte Hill, but in vain.
Health officials say if the illegal structures and shanties on the hilly and sloppy land are not stopped, it may result in tampering of the hilly and sloppy land, which may trigger landslides in the future.
Incidentally, when Wayanad in Kerala was hit by massive landslide last monsoons, the lawmakers shed tears on the floor of the House, sounding caution that Goa may meet a similar fate if the hilly and sloppy land is tampered with for constructions.
