The Holy Family House building, located near Cine Lata in Margao, has come under official scrutiny following an eviction and sealing order issued by South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus, citing structural safety concerns.
Acting on the directive, Salcete Mamlatdar Vimod Dalal and his team sealed the staircase to the building on Thursday. However, tenants operating commercial establishments on the ground floor were granted time to remove their belongings, including perishable goods.
The action follows a structural audit that declared the building unsafe and recommended its demolition to avoid potential collapse. In response, a delegation of tenants—led by Sandeep Azrenkar and accompanied by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat—met with Collector Cleetus and Additional Collector Ramesh Gaonkar to discuss possible solutions. The tenants requested permission to carry out repairs to restore the building’s integrity.
Collector Cleetus advised them to approach the Chief Officer of the Margao Municipal Council to seek the necessary approvals for the repair work. She made it clear that the district administration would consider lifting the seal only after submission of a structural stability certificate from a qualified authority confirming that the building is safe for occupancy.
Emphasizing the need to balance public safety and tenant welfare, Collector Cleetus stressed that the administration’s priority is to protect lives, particularly those of pedestrians and bystanders.
MLA Digambar Kamat appreciated the Collector’s approach, noting that tenants have been allowed to recover their belongings and are permitted to repair the building—provided they meet the safety requirements. Tenant representative Azrenkar confirmed that coordination with the building owner and municipal authorities is underway to begin the approval process.
Meanwhile, local police have been directed to cordon off the area and enforce safety measures around the building to prevent any untoward incidents.