MARGAO: Following the collapse of the Margao Urban Health Centre wall, citizens have raised questions about how authorities allowed such an incident to happen and if other heritage buildings in Margao are at risk.
“A charming heritage building in Margao was damaged due to incessant rains. It had a beautiful design, with a semicircular gable. It stood in majestic elegance housing the Urban Health Center. Hope the concerned authorities restore it to its former glory without tampering with its colour scheme and design. Margao is replete with such structures of elegance of heritage,” said historian Prajal Sakhardande.
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“The incessant rains continue to take its toll on the abandoned structures that housed the old Hospicio Hospital, and the failure of adequate upkeep, will eventually lead to the collapse of these premises as well,” warned former
MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho.
Coutinho added that the MMC has failed to update the list of hazardous and dilapidated structures in Margao, which was last prepared in the year 2012. He also pointed out an interesting fact that, with the exception of the building portion that collapsed at the entrance of the Gandhi market, all other structures that collapsed during the last few years did not figure in the list of dilapidated structures, thus confirming the requirement of a fresh survey to identify such structures.
Coutinho, a qualified civil engineer, added that most of the old structures, especially the Portuguese- era buildings were constructed with stone and lime mortar. “Cement and concrete were rarely used in these buildings. The structures are designed so that no form of water seepage can occur, which could dampen and damage the structure. As such, the neglect on the part of the authorities to keep a check on water seepage into these heritage buildings, is highly condemnable,” he said.
