SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: The structural stability of one of the oldest and unsafe buildings in Margao got exposed as the rear portion of 'Casa Menezes' collapsed in the wee hours of Saturday.
However, it was a lucky escape for nearly 10 workers, who were sleeping on the other side of the first floor. The building is owned by Agostinho Menezes.
It is pertinent to note that Herald in its July 19 edition had highlighted the issue regards to old and unsafe buildings in the State’s commercial capital.
Saturday’s incident has also brought to the fore that nearly 10 shops are operating on the ground floor of the building, including the Royal Hotel, garment shops, besides vendors selling plastic. The hotel’s toilet, bathroom and storeroom were damaged in the incident.
The first floor of 'Case Menezes' is not used. However, the workers of the hotel, operating on the ground floor had taken shelter there for the last many years.
On receiving information of the incident, the Fire and Emergency Services, Margao, besides Salcete Mamlatdar Prataprao Gaonkar, the Margao Town Police rushed to the site.
The Mamlatdar ordered cordoning off the building, besides the entrance to the adjacent building was barricaded.
On hearing of a loud sound, all the workers rushed out of the building.
Speaking to the media persons Royal Hotel manager Prabhakar Melge said, “The incident happened at around 2.45 am. Suddenly, our workers heard a loud sound and they manages to rush out of the building, as we noticed collapsed portion of the building".
When questioned on the MMC notice to vacate the building, he feigned ignorance.
The Salcete Mamlatdar said, “I instructed the police to cordon off the entire building. I will submit the report to the District Collector and further action will be initiated. I am not aware that this building was declared unsafe by the municipality".
He said no causalities were reported.
Later, local MLA Digambar Kamat visited the site and discussed the issue pertaining to the safety of adjacent buildings and other measures.
"After the visit, I talked with all the concerned authorities including the PWD. It has been directed to verify the safety of the adjacent building. Debris has to be removed immediately", he said.
MMC chairperson Lyndon Pereira said, “The building owner should have taken the MMC notice seriously. They have ignored the notice. But it is fortunate that no causality has been reported".
There are more unsafe buildings in Margao which could meet the same fate as 'Case Menezes', as several owners have ignored the MMC notice served in 2016.
The Herald report on unsafe buildings in Margao led several owners of such buildings to rush the Chairperson's office over the issue.
Few owners have claimed that their building is safe and there is no need to vacate the premises. However, they failed to submit the stability report of their buildings to the civic body.
In 2016, MMC had issued notices to the owners of nearly 19 unsafe buildings in Margao. Only a few responded to the notices while most ignored, including the owner of 'Casa Menezes' building.
Taking serious note of the incident, MMC Chief Officer Agnelo A Fernandes issued the notice under Section 190 of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968 to 'Casa Menezes' building owner and all the shop owners to vacate the premises immediately.
"The building is very old and in a dangerous condition. There is every possibility that the remaining portion could collapse any moment causing loss to human life and property", he said.
He said MMC has directed the owner, besides all the shop owners to vacate the building with immediate effect.
"MMC has directed the owner to submit structural stability of the building and to carry out the repair/secure the said unit within 30 days, failing which further action, as per Section 190 of Goa Municipalities Act 1968 will be initiated", he stated.
He confirmed that the said building featured in the list of the unsafe buildings in Margao.
South Goa Collector Ruchika Katyal passed an order giving responsibilities to PWD with regard to the safety measures. Fire and Emergency Services and Margao municipality have been directed to assist the PWD.
MLA Digambar Kamat said the PWD Principal Chief Engineer has already set the work in motion. Besides, the concerned people engaged in Kala Academy restoration work also visited the site.
The government authorities have started work to provide support to the existing structure of 'Casa Menezes' to prevent it from collapsing further. The debris will be removed, and safety measures will be taken to protect the adjacent structure.
