Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, May 5: With the monsoon season approaching, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has intensified inspections of old and unsafe structures, but action on several buildings remains pending due to the absence of structural stability reports.

Under the Disaster Management Act, the civic body has been conducting routine checks on dilapidated and potentially dangerous buildings across the capital to prevent mishaps during heavy rains.

Panaji Mayor Rohit Monserrate said CCP engineers are coordinating with Goa Engineering College (GEC) to assess the structural condition of such buildings and identify those that pose immediate risk.

“I have asked the commissioner to follow up on dilapidated structures and determine if more buildings need to be demolished. Some have already collapsed, and several reports are still awaited,” Monserrate said.

Earlier in April, CCP demolished a three-storey commercial building deemed structurally unsafe by GEC, along with 29 temporary shops in the vicinity. In a similar incident two years ago, an abandoned building at St Inez collapsed during the monsoon, prompting authorities to take corrective action.

The corporation has identified 12 buildings in the city as highly vulnerable and has formally requested GEC to carry out structural stability studies.

In its communication, CCP urged GEC to depute representatives to inspect the buildings and submit reports at the earliest.

Officials said notices had also been issued in 2021 to owners of 18 abandoned buildings, but there was little response, with no steps taken to vacate or secure the premises.

“If reports confirm that a building is unsafe, we will proceed with demolition. We are awaiting GEC’s findings and have also directed property owners to take necessary action,” the mayor added.

The delay in receiving technical assessments has raised concerns as the city prepares for the onset of heavy rains, which often exacerbate risks posed by weakened structures.