With the commencement of the monsoons, residential as well as commercial buildings have begun showing signs of falling apart due to the incessant rains in the state. During the current month, incidences of chajja collapse and balcony collapse in Vasco have been reported, while a residential quarters’ balcony in the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) came crashing down last week. Succumbing to incessant rain, a retaining wall collapsed in the middle of the night in the port town on two houses, which were badly damaged.
Nevertheless, in all the accidents, there have been no casualties or human injuries.
The list initially included 11 buildings including residential and commercial structures, of which four have taken corrective measures and have begun renovation process.
The list includes the residences of Maria Fernandes near Confidant Advertising, Andrew Fernandes in Curtin, Tony Lopes behind the Post Office and another residential structure belonging to Fernando Lobo and Maria Sequeira.
Meanwhile, a CCP owned building is amongst the structures declared unsafe by the CCP.
However, there is no effort yet from the capital city Corporation authorities to renovate or demolish the building. According to the CCP, there are six residential premises in the capital apart from the municipal building near the market complex, which have been declared unsafe for human habitation.
When inquired into the process of declaring any building unsafe, a senior staff at the CCP informed that there is no specific process. However, whenever a complaint is filed by any person or party against any building structure within the jurisdiction of CCP, the Corporation body deputes its personnel for inspection of the structure.
Upon physical inspection of the site, an initial report is submitted which then, if required, is followed up by a technical inspection carried out by competent engineers.
An official informed “Upon receiving information we go to the site of the building or the house and carry out the physical inspection and issue notices”
According to the Goa, City of Panaji Corporation Act, 2002, the sub section (1) of section 271 states “If it appears to the Commissioner that any building intended or used for human habitation or human occupation for any purpose whatever is unfit for such habitation or occupation, he shall give notice in writing to the occupier or to the owner, if the building is not occupied, stating that the building is unfit and signifying his intention to prohibit the further use of such building for such purposes, and calling upon the occupier or owner to state in writing his objection to such prohibition within seven days from the receipt of the notice. If no objection is stated by such occupier or owner within the said period or if the objection stated appears to the Commissioner to be insufficient or not well founded; he may, prohibit”, the use of such building.
However, in the case of the structures declared unsafe by the CCP, the notices have been issued over the years and nothing has changed during the last three years in connection with these buildings and homes.
Interestingly, even though there is a section which allows the CCP Commissioner to serve notices and even evict people from unsafe buildings, it practically does not happen. Here’s section 272 that supposedly arms the CCP
But CCP sources informed that the moment such notices are received, the building owner approaches the court and the CCP fights these litigations for years.
Clearly if these unsafe buildings are allowed to remain, Panjim will be very sorry.
