VASCO
Vasco MLA Krishna Daji Salkar has criticised the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) for failing to act against dilapidated and dangerous buildings in Vasco, warning that civic officials could face serious accountability, including criminal liability, if negligence leads to loss of life.
During an inspection and review of the issue on Monday, Salkar directed MMC Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik to immediately issue notices to owners of unsafe structures and initiate necessary action rather than wait for an unfortunate incident to occur. He expressed concern that several buildings posing potential threats to public safety had not yet been served official notices.
Drawing particular attention to the severely dilapidated building opposite the Vasco police station, Salkar said it posed a serious threat to thousands of people who visit the police station, park their vehicles and pass through the area daily. “It is a calamity waiting to happen. I cannot understand why even a single notice has not been issued to the owner of this building. It is the duty of the Chief Officer to act. We cannot simply sit and wait for something unfortunate to happen,” Salkar said.
He warned that if a building collapsed and caused fatalities due to the failure of civic authorities to discharge their responsibilities, the officials concerned would have to be held accountable. He said such negligence could even amount to murder if lives were lost despite repeated warnings about the dangerous condition of the structures.
Salkar said he had been raising the issue consistently over the past four years as MLA and had also highlighted similar concerns during his 15-year tenure as a councillor. However, he regretted that no concrete action had been taken despite repeated interventions.
Referring to the devastating fire at Vasco’s Sunday Market, Salkar said the tragedy should serve as an eye-opener for government departments and civic authorities to address potential hazards before they turn into disasters.
He said he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and urged the MMC to end the delay and immediately initiate proceedings against owners of dangerous buildings.
Inspection conducted and report submitted Collector: Mamlatdar
VASCO: Mormugao Mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit said the administration had conducted an inspection of dilapidated buildings in Vasco and submitted its survey report to the Collector.
However, Pandit clarified that the responsibility for issuing notices, passing demolition orders and initiating further action against such structures rested with the Mormugao Municipal Council under the provisions of the Municipal Act.
The issue of unsafe buildings in Vasco has once again come into focus following Salkar’s warning.
