PANAJI
After years of warnings over its crumbling structure, the dilapidated Junta House in Panaji is finally expected to be razed. The North Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Ankit Yadav, has directed the Goa Administrative Department to evict all occupants and complete the evacuation of the four-building complex within the next 30 days.
A compliance report of the eviction must be submitted by August 2.
The directive comes following a structural audit conducted by the Public Works Department (PWD), which identified the building, constructed nearly 60 years ago, as structurally vulnerable and beyond repair.
“On the basis of the structural audit report submitted by PWD, this authority is satisfied that, the Junta House building is in dilapidated and dangerous condition and poses a safety hazard,” reads the order while directing the eviction within the timeline.
The report specifically highlighted the office of the Registrar of Societies on the fourth floor as exhibiting “serious structural defects including spalling plaster, exposed and corroded steel reinforcements, posing imminent safety hazards to occupants and visitors.”
A joint inspection carried out by officers from the Sub-Division Office, Fire Services and the Registrar’s office also confirmed widespread damage. The team noted falling ceiling plaster at multiple locations, damp interiors and corrosion to an RCC column.
On May 23, the Collector had written to the Executive Engineer of Works Division-I asking for an urgent structural assessment of the buildings. Based on the PWD’s findings, the Collector concluded that retrofitting would be unviable, prompting the demolition order.
The Junta House complex currently houses several government offices while there are also commercial establishments on its ground floor, many of which have continued operations despite mounting warnings about the building’s condition.
In May, The Goan had reported on the unsafe condition of the premises and the delays in vacating it, as there are no alternate office spaces for its many government departments.
