MARGAO: In a startling incident, a significant portion of the wall at the Margao Urban Health Centre (UHC), a heritage building, collapsed on Saturday at 3 am.
The collapse primarily affected the facade of the building, particularly a first floor wall where the conference hall is located. The laterite rubble and broken stones fell within the UHC compound, damaging a parked two-wheeler. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the incident occurred early in the morning.
Dr. Socorro Quadros, Health Officer of Margao UHC, and the Margao Fire Brigade promptly responded to the scene. A PWD Engineer was also called to conduct a quick risk assessment before repair work could commence.
Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat visited the site. The MMC disaster management team was mobilized to assist with the tasks and arrange machinery for debris removal.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the wall collapse was due to rainwater seepage, weakening the structure over time. Further inquiry will be conducted.
Dr. Quadros mentioned that work can still continue in a section of the building unaffected by the collapse. However, the PWD and MMC are conducting a thorough inspection to assess the stability of the remaining portion of the heritage building.
The affected area of the UHC will be closed for repairs, and equipment and materials will be relocated. If the building is deemed unsuitable, the entire UHC operations will be relocated.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane assured that he would push for the damaged building to be repaired on priority, and added that the Health Department is in the process of finding an alternate location for the UHC. The broken part of the building was also covered with Tarpaulin on Saturday evening. “A portion of the wall of the UHC Margao collapsed last night as a result of heavy rains. The Director has been given instructions to inspect it and bring the issue up with Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) immediately,” said Rane.
Director of Health Services (DHS) Dr Geeta Kakokdar also defended the staff of the UHC and said there was no negligence.
“The other part of the building is safe. There were no indications of weakness, neither there were cracks. We have sought report on structural stability. The OPD continued at the UHC as usual this morning from the same premises,” she added after speaking to the Margao UHC Health Officer.
