VASCO
A portion of the slab of a dilapidated building in Vasco collapsed on Monday, triggering fresh concerns over the safety of ageing structures in the town. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
Following the collapse, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar visited the site to assess the situation and interacted with the building owners and local residents. During the inspection, the owners informed the MLA that they had already decided to demolish the unsafe structure before the commencement of the annual Saptah festivities to eliminate any risk to the public.
Expressing concern over the increasing number of dangerous buildings in the town, Salkar called for stringent action against owners who fail to maintain or secure such structures despite being aware of the risks they pose.
He said owners of dilapidated buildings that endanger public safety should be held criminally liable for negligence if their inaction results in accidents, injuries or loss of life. According to Salkar, merely issuing notices is not enough when buildings continue to remain in a hazardous condition for long periods.
“Innocent pedestrians and motorists cannot be made to pay the price for the negligence of building owners. Action must be taken before a tragedy occurs,” Salkar said while urging the authorities to adopt a stricter approach towards unsafe structures.
He also stressed the need for regular inspections of old and weakened buildings and timely action wherever public safety is at risk. Salkar said authorities should ensure that owners either carry out immediate repairs or demolish unsafe structures before they become a danger to people living nearby or passing through busy roads.
The latest incident has once again drawn attention to the condition of several ageing buildings in Vasco, many of which are located in crowded commercial and residential areas. Residents have repeatedly expressed concern over the risk posed by loose plaster, weakened slabs and deteriorating structures, particularly during the monsoon season, and have urged the authorities to take preventive measures before another mishap occurs.
