Think of investing in South Goa? Here is an important lead of the district collector that can affect your plans, as the South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus has issued a public notice to report everyone to report any unsafe or dilapidated buildings in the district, according to a report from the Indian report. The citizens are encouraged to inform the local municipality of buildings that look structurally unhealthy, and point out, and note whether the building is outside the jurisdiction of the municipality, the issue must be reported to the relevant block development officer for appropriate measures. “Citizens are also advised to refrain from living or carrying out any activities in such premises. It has been noted that, despite visible risks of life and property, certain premises are still occupied for residential or commercial purposes,” Cleinus said. The district administration emphasized that the most important responsibility for maintaining the construction of safety rests with the owners and residents. In the case of emergencies, residents are advised to reach out to the South Goa Collectorate Control Room on 0832-2794100. Demolition order months ago in July this year, the district collector issued a demolition order for the ‘Cabecca de Calconde’ building, which, according to the Margao municipality, was considered unsafe, according to a Toi report. The Department of Public Works (PWD) shortlists on the shortlist to perform the demolition of this structure, along with another dilapidated building, Indira Apartments in Khareband. The demolition is expected to continue as soon as the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has completed the evacuation of the remaining residents. In the case of Cabecca de Calconde, the process was significantly delayed due to the actions of the MMC chief officer on the commission of the collector, who led a particular party to approach the Supreme Court. The initial demolition order was issued in November 2023, when the then South Goa collector, an Astvin Chandru, instructed the MMC chief officer to demolish the building “to avoid any unforeseen incident.” It was only after two parapet dumps took place within 48 hours in Margao, which emphasized serious safety hazards, that the authorities acted quickly two months ago. On May 27, the South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus instructed the deputy collector of South-I to issue immediate demolition orders for both structures. MMC chief official Melvyn Vaz said that 23 out of 26 families had evacuated indira apartments, with three families still awaiting relocation. As for Cabecca de Calconde, only one resident remains and is expected to leave soon, although the case in the Supreme Court was under the judicial review. The building was classified by the Civil Engineering of Goa College of Engineering as ‘unsafe for human habitation’ in 2018. Their structural evaluation concluded that the structure was ‘out of the restorable and retractible condition’, citing various issues such as impaired concrete in all accessible columns, corroded reinforced rods, crumbled concrete of structural elements and dangerously suspended GI skins in life and property. Former MMC chairman Savio Coutinho said: ‘Although it is good to know that the collector’s order will eventually be executed, it is disturbing to note that the two buildings whose parapettes collapsed are still high. Our concern is that once the structures are destroyed, the country will be handed over for redevelopment in connection with the powers. ‘
-
-
-
-
