With several government offices functioning from structurally unsafe or crumbling buildings, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the government has set a target to relocate all offices currently functioning from dilapidated or structurally unsafe buildings to new premises within the next two years.
Sawant made the announcement while inaugurating the new office premises of the Directorate of Prosecution at the BSNL Building in Patto, Panaji, today. “Many of these offices are located in buildings over 40 years old, with broken infrastructure and outdated furniture. The government has taken up the task of relocating such departments in a phased manner,” he said.
The CM added that renovation of taluka-level courts is also underway, and the administration is committed to ensuring better workspaces for government staff and improved services for the public.
“Offices must be functional, accessible, and safe, not just for employees, but also for the public,” Sawant said.
The relocation plan comes against the backdrop of recent government orders to identify and take action against structurally unsafe and abandoned buildings across the State. The Revenue Department has invoked Sections 33 and 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, empowering District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to initiate verification drives and coordinate with local bodies for necessary action, including demolition of unsafe structures.
In fact, North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav recently ordered the evacuation of Junta House, one of Panaji’s most iconic buildings, after a structural audit by the PWD declared it unsafe. Junta House is among six major government buildings slated for redevelopment under an agreement signed between the State and NBCC (India) Ltd.
In the backdrop of the inauguration, the Chief Minister also took the opportunity to stress the importance of ensuring justice and accelerating digitisation in public services, especially in the transport and tourism sectors.
Referring to Wednesday night’s brutal attack on a 65-year-old taxi driver from Calangute by four passengers in Malpem-Pernem, Sawant said, “Had the taxi been operating through an app-based service, the police would have been able to trace and arrest the accused swiftly. Digitalisation is the only solution.” He urged stakeholders in the tourism industry to support technology adoption for public safety and transparency.
