The structural safety of 16 buildings in Panjim and surrounding areas has come under scrutiny, with the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) currently evaluating their condition to determine the need for demolition or restoration.
This follows a court order dated June 4, which mandates the demolition of a building located opposite the Keni petrol pump within two weeks. Another structure, owned by Amardeep Madkaikar at Fondvem, Ribandar, has already been demolished.
One of the more prominent buildings on the list, the National Theatre near Café Bhonsle, has been sealed and is currently under review by the Secretary (Urban Development).
Several other properties are under similar review, including Clube Nacional; the residence of Maria Fernandes in São Tomé; a structure owned by Maurice Aguiar in Ribandar; Tony Lopes’ property located behind the Panjim Post Office; a building belonging to Manorama Shirodkar in St Inez; the property of Fernando Lobo and Maria Sequeira Lobo in Alto Guimarães; a structure owned by Oswald de Barros in Fondvem, Ribandar; the rear portion of the Sushila building in Altinho; the Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd, also in Altinho; and the Confraria building in central Panjim.
To assess the stability of these buildings, the CCP had sent reminder letters on May 29 to the Goa College of Engineering (GEC), requesting expert reports. One such report, concerning the Mahalaxmi Cooperative Housing Society Ltd opposite Palacio de Goa Hotel, has already been submitted by the GEC, confirming that the structure is unsafe and requires either reconstruction or redevelopment.
The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Friday resolved to proceed with the demolition of the El Dorado building located in the municipal market.
The structure has been declared unsafe for several years, though traders have raised objections to the move. The matter is currently pending before the Secretary (Urban Development) — the appellate authority — as well as the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate stated, “It has been in a dilapidated condition for years. The safety of its occupants and the public is at risk. Shopkeepers near the market lane adjoining the building could also be affected.”
He acknowledged that while occupants had requested alternative premises, the CCP is unable to provide space at this time.
The CCP is now awaiting further directions based on this finding.
In the case of La Marina II, part of the La Marina Cooperative Housing Society in Miramar, the CCP sent its fourth reminder to GEC on April 4, urging the institution to expedite its structural stability assessment.