TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Even as the government has decided to form a committee of RCC experts to check the safety of buildings after realization dawned on it post Canacona disaster, there are several buildings in Panjim which have been declared unsafe and are yet to be demolished, with people even residing in them.
The PWD minister Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar told the media that a technical committee was to have been formed and was awaiting the nod from Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
According to officials the government has finalised the committee comprising experts to inspect all private and government buildings and submit a report and is expected to be notified Friday.
A rundown building next to the El Dorado Plaza, Panjim was declared unsafe years ago. However, the Panjim Corporation has been unable to take any action on it since the tenants are not willing to vacate the premises. In fact now the CCP is contemplating to approach the Collector to enforce action.
Will a similar problem afflict the newly formed government committee? Another building was declared unsafe next to National Theatre and another next to the CCP building, a board was put up some time back – but not there at present – about the building being unsafe. If these buildings are not repaired they are disasters waiting to happen.
The practice of issuing an occupancy certificate even before the building is complete is something that everyone knows about but, few admit it officially. A structure in a residential colony on plot 168 (beside Canara Bank) Survey No 77/1, at Pilerne village (PDA Colony, Porvorim) is in debilitated condition for many years and unfit for human habitation. No provisions can be seen for a family to reside in the structure, like kitchen, hall, bedroom etc. all of which are essential for family to live. However, in reality there are shops with shutters and illegal restaurant can be seen there, in gross violation of zonal plan. The CCP was supposed to constitute an inquiry into parking lots being converted for offices or shops after the occupancy is received. However, there is no word of that and parking is still a nightmare as occupants of building park on the roads causing congestion.
What is important to note is the height of corruption in statutory departments in providing clearance by way of issuing NOC and fitness certificates for occupancy when they are aware of its violation of building bye-laws; and reports won’t help as the lacunae is in the implementation.
The government has finalised the committee comprising experts to inspect all private and government buildings and submit a report
