Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major decision, all houses and buildings that are over three decades old, including those of the Portuguese-era, will be audited for structural stability. The exercise will initially cover government buildings followed by private structures.
“The government will conduct structural audit of all the buildings above 30 years – the soil and foundation’s strength and stability will be tested. It will assess the conditions and accordingly initiate safety measures to avoid any untoward incidents,” Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza said conceding there are many buildings which are on the verge of collapse.
He added that the structures will have to obtain a stability certificate every five years. The process to empanel qualified technical personnel including engineers, to conduct the audit will begin within the next fortnight.
“Buildings above ground floor will have to go for auditing. This will also include conservation houses (Portuguese era mansions) and due care will be taken during the auditing. The auditors will certify whether or not the structures are strong,” D’Souza, also the TCP minister, said.
To enforce this, the government will amend the existing TCP Act. D’Souza conceded that the state does not have any record of life of the existing buildings even as structures, which are 50 years old, are in good condition.
“The municipalities are supposed to have such a record. But now we will collect data from across the state including the panchayats,” the minister said adding that local bodies should decide on abandoned buildings in their respective jurisdictions
