Disaster Authority questions MMC inaction as dangerous structures continue to operate despite demolition directives
The MMC notice to the building owner and occupants issued under section 190 of the Goa Municipalities Act.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
In the wake of back-to-back incidents of building collapses in Goa’s commercial capital, the South Goa District Disaster Management Authority has stepped in to take urgent stock of the situation.
District Collector and Chairperson of the Authority, Egna Cleetus, has convened a high-level meeting with key officials, including representatives from the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), to discuss the status of old and dilapidated structures posing a threat to public safety.
The agenda includes a review of the MMC’s failure to act on previous demolition orders, as well as planning a road map for dealing with buildings deemed unsafe. Sources said a joint inspection of ageing structures by officials from the Salcete Mamlatdar’s office and MMC has also been scheduled.
This is probably the first time that the District Disaster Management Authority has called for a meeting with the Chief Officer of the Margao Municipal Council in order to take stock of the status of the old and dilapidated buildings dotting the commercial capital and the danger posed to public life and property.
Sources say the Authority has taken serious note of two building collapses occurring within 24 hours, causing property damage and raising alarm over the structural integrity of several ageing structures. Of particular concern is a building declared unsafe by the Goa College of Engineering, for which a demolition order was issued by the former Chairperson of the Authority, Asvin Chandru in November, 2023. That order, however, remains unexecuted.
Despite the demolition directive, business operations continue inside the compromised building, prompting serious questions over the enforcement of structural stability assessments and municipal accountability.
Sources informed that a joint inspection of the old and dilapidated buildings dotting the commercial capital was long overdue not only to take stock of the situation but to update the list of old and dangerous structures. Officials admit the MMC has updated its list of dangerous buildings recently, but privately acknowledge that several precarious structures may still be missing from the official records.
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Occupants ordered to evacuate, but no word on structural repairs
MARGAO: Three days after a portion of a building near Cine Lata in Margao collapsed, MMC Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz issued a formal notice directing occupants to vacate the premises immediately, citing safety concerns.
The notice, issued under Section 109 of the Goa Municipalities Act, places full responsibility on the occupants in case of any mishap, warning that the council will not be held liable. However, the notice does not direct the building owner to carry out repairs or to obtain a structural stability certificate.
“It is brought to my notice that part of the cement concrete chajjas of the ground floor of the existing building situated next to Cine Lata Theatre at Old Fish Market, Margao has collapsed... It is noticed that the existing passage of chajjas and other parts of the chajjas have developed cracks due to which there is every possibility of the collapse of the remaining part of the building, thereby causing danger to pedestrians and vehicles moving on the road located by the side of the building and also to the occupants of the building who are running their business activities from the premises of the said building,” the notice stated.
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Legal Framework: Section 190
Under Section 190 of the Goa Municipalities Act, the Chief Officer is empowered to order the removal or repair of buildings that are in a ruinous condition or pose a danger to the public. If necessary, the Chief Officer can take emergency action to secure or demolish such structures and recover the cost from the owner or occupier.
