Team Herald
VASCO: Residents of the housing board colony in Baina have raised serious concerns over the dilapidated condition of more than 100 flats in the colony.
They allege that slabs are collapsing, severe water leakage is damaging homes, and rainwater is entering flats, posing major safety risks. Fearing a potential disaster, residents are demanding urgent repairs and
maintenance.
They have warned that if the Goa Housing Board fails to act immediately, they will be forced to launch a protest. Locals are appealing to the authorities to prioritise their safety and ensure structural repairs before the onset of heavy rains makes the situation worse.
Housing board colony chief Jayaprakash Amonkar said, “Before the 2022 Assembly elections, we were assured that the problem would be solved. Even the current MLA said that he would solve the issue within six months, but nothing has been done yet.”
“We all supported him thinking that it would really be solved. But it has been three years and the issue is still unresolved.”
“Monsoon is just a month away. Children play in the streets while senior citizens go for a walk. If something untoward happens, who will take the blame? There are over 100 flats in the area. I demand that the MLA solve our problem at the earliest,” he said.
Olinda Carvalho, a resident of the Housing Board, said, “We all have been going on and off to MLA Sankalp Amonkar with a request to repair our buildings, but nobody has cared to come and see the situation of our building. I request our MLA and all the higher authorities to please come and see the building and what is happening around. Before the rain starts and any casualty takes place, please help us. There are leakages in the building, the sewage is not proper. I just want somebody to come and have a look at the building, especially the rooftop. Sometimes I repair it on my own but it is not possible every time, being a single woman, to check what is happening.”
Govind Angobkar, another resident, said, “If you see the condition of the building, you cannot stay in it. Slabs fall but nothing is done, only assurances are given. We had gone to meet the MLA four months back and we were given assurances, but nothing has been done.”
Pradeep Morya, another resident, said, “I request with folded hands. Please address our problem. Our situation is very bad. In the rainy season it becomes too bad. Sometimes there is a wall collapse, sometimes something else. I request our MLA to look into this problem as soon as possible.”