24-05-2025
Another building parapet crashes in Margao within 24 hrs
Margao:
Just a day after a portion of a parapet collapsed near Gandhi Market, here, another dilapidated structure in the town suffered a similar collapse on Saturday. A part of the parapet of the first floor of Antao Apartments, located near Cine Lata, gave way around 6am.
However, no casualties were reported.
The area is usually bustling with activity and the building houses several shops on the ground floor, however as the incident occurred early in morning, a tragedy was averted.
Police cordoned off the area to ensure public safety. Margao MLA Digambar Kamat inspected the site and took stock of the situation.
The Saturday incident follows Friday's structural failure at Pimpalkatta, where debris from an upper-floor parapet damaged multiple vehicles parked below.
Market traders have consistently flagged safety concerns about dilapidated structures in the town. The collapses point to a public safety threat posed by aging buildings. While the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has catalogued 22 hazardous structures, the building that suffered a parapet collapse on Friday was not on the list.
Urban planning experts cite the 1968 Goa Buildings (Lease, Rent & Eviction) Control Act as a key obstacle to property maintenance and redevelopment. The outdated legislation perpetuates a system where monthly rents remain frozen at Rs 20-50 from decades past, while repair and maintenance expenses have multiplied manifold. While this disparity eliminates financial motivation for property owners to invest in structural improvements, tenant occupancy rights remain protected irrespective of building conditions.
They have called for govt intervention and legislative cure to remedy the situation.
