PANAJI
Despite nearly 100 unsafe buildings across the Corporation of the City of Panaji and the municipal councils of Mapusa and Mormugao posing a serious risk to people, only four structures including two in Vasco have been demolished.
As per records submitted by the Department of Urban Development in the Assembly, Panaji -- where several dangerous structures are at risk of collapsing -- has 23 unsafe buildings identified. However, only one building, the National Theatre, was issued a demolition order. The owner received a fresh demolition order on May 13, which remains under a status quo granted by the Secretary for Urban Development Appellate Authority.
Four other structures -- Savitri Vishwa Building, Sushila Building (rear side), footbridge at Miramar and La Marina II at La Marina Co-op Housing Society -- are under review. The CCP assured that notices will be issued under section 272 of the City of Panaji Corporation Act, 2002; as against its earlier claim that the district collector issued a demolition order for the footbridge.
For the unsafe market building including the Fish Market building and the building opposite Eldorado, notices were issued on January 3, 2024, to all occupants. However, two occupants filed a petition before the Court of Principal District Judge in Panaji, which resulted in a status quo order. The CCP is currently seeking a structural stability assessment from the competent authority.
The iconic Clube Nacional has been partly repaired, but the issued repair license has expired.
In Mapusa, 34 structures have been identified as unsafe. Notices were issued to all occupants, including the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department, Works Division XVII, PHE-N, PWD, Porvorim, and the Goa Co-operative Marketing & Supply Federation Ltd, Mapusa.
Similarly, in the Mormugao municipal council, unsafe buildings remain standing despite notices served in 2018 and 2021. One is demolished and two government buildings, including the Police Quarters near ITI, Bogda, Headland Sada, are still awaiting action.
Of eight unsafe buildings owned by this council, it proposed reconstruction of Fish Market which is pending before the Deputy Collector (Revenue) for grant of an additional 140 m2 of adjoining Government land. The reconstruction of Old Vegetable Pavilion I and II Market Shed near Hospicious Building is also proposed under Special Assistance towards 60th year of Goa Liberation.
For the remaining six structures, letters are sent to Goa Engineering College to examine the condition/status of the building.
