The business proprietors of a decades-old Junta House facing demolition have voiced concerns over a lack of communication from government authorities regarding their future.
While acknowledging the unsafe condition of the structure, they blame the current state of disrepair on years of neglect and non-maintenance.
Speaking toO Herlado, Nitin Desai, said, "We do not have a problem if the building is unsafe and has to be demolished. That is part of development. We agree it is old, but it has become dilapidated only because it was never maintained.”
“If it had been taken care of, it would still be in good condition,” Dessai, a resident for 30 years added.
Desai said the shopkeepers have received no official word on whether they will be provided alternative accommodation or support, despite many having lived and worked in the area for over 50 years.
“The government has not told us what it plans to do. We just want them to communicate with us about what lies ahead,” another resident said. “Instead, all we are getting are eviction notices. That’s why we have approached the court — to compel the government to explain its plan. This is not just about homes, it’s about our livelihood that has sustained us for generations.”
The matter has now reached the courts, with residents seeking legal intervention to ensure their rights and futures are considered before any demolition proceeds," he said.
He claimed that the shopkeepers have not received any order from the Collector regarding eviction.
"We had received a notice from the Public Works Department (PWD) stating that we have to vacate the premises within a month. This was in March but after that we have not received anything after that," he added.
Recently, the North Goa Collector had declared Junta House as unsafe and had asked for the building to be vacated within 30 days.
In his order, North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav said the order to vacate the building was based on the structural audit report by the PWD.
State government has signed an agreement with NBCC (India) Ltd, formerly known as National Buildings Construction Corporation, to redevelop six major government buildings, including Junta House, in a phased manner. Junta House, considered one of the first public buildings constructed in the capital city, was once the tallest structure in the city.
Meanwhile, a PWD Executive Engineer Mahesh Kenaudekar said that the iconic building also house around 24 government offices which are to be shifted and search is on for suitable location for them.
The official said that the PWD served the notices to the shopkeepers based on the instructions given by General Administration Department (GAD).