Believe it or not but the latest list of unsafe buildings prepared by the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) shows that about 38 buildings, including those owned by MMC and have been leased out to people as well as government owned buildings, are reportedly unsafe for living. Despite being listed as unsafe, occupants continue to use these buildings on personal risk.
This issue is turning serious because, time and again, there have been incidents where portions of the buildings have collapsed, leaving many persons injured. All the MMC has done after the incidents is issue eviction notices but failed to ensure compliance.
In the last three months, two such reported incidents had even created panic. In the first incident on December 12, 2016, 5 sq mts of floor caved in and collapse on the third floor of ‘Happy Apartment’ in Vasco leaving several people injured. In the second recent one on February 21, people of Desterro in Baina had to face horrific situation when the portion of Chajja of Desterro apartment came crashing down during the wee hours, luckily no one was injured.
Incidents like falling of cemented portion from the ceiling, leaking roofs have now become a common sight for the people living in these unsafe buildings, some of which are owned by MMC.
Though the MMC has all powers to initiate action against those living in unsafe building, except for conducting survey and issuing eviction notice, the council has done nothing in resolving this issue. It has even failed to undertake repairs of their own buildings which are highly unsafe.
MMC reports show that more than 200 families have been still living in the unsafe buildings in the port town. Besides, there are others who have been using these unsafe buildings for commercial purpose and all these occupiers are taking personal risk of their life.
“Yes it is true that we have all the powers to seal the premises which are reported to be unsafe by experts. The moment any building is identified as unsafe, as a precautionary action we issue them eviction notices under Section 190 of Goa Municipal Act asking the dwellers to move to a safe place,” said MMC Chief officer Deepali Naik.
When asked if the MMC follows up on the eviction notice, Naik said, “What to do if people want to stay under unsafe structures at their own risk? I cannot remove them and keep them on the road. Also I don’t have enough staff to take up this exercise, and then there are human rights issue involved so I cannot evict them harshly.”
“Regarding the buildings owned by the municipality we have decided to take up one by one reconstruction of the premises. Firstly we will take up reconstruction work of our Kosambi building housing Bank of Maharashtra on the ground floor. For this project Bank of Maharashtra has agreed to give us loan which we will use for the construction of a new building and we would pay the amount. Likewise we will take up reconstruction of others one by one,” she said further.
The question here is not about the eviction, but about the people facing risk. It is high time the MMC wakes up before it is too late. Sources say the MMC should sit across and find out how the best solution to solve the issue which concerns lives of the people.
