Goa Electricity Department Office Ceiling Collapse in Mapusa
A portion of concrete from the ceiling at the Goa electricity department office in Mapusa collapsed recently, fortunately leaving all employees unharmed. The incident has reignited concerns over the structural integrity of the government building, which was inaugurated in November 1986.
Building Declared Unsafe Years Ago
The Public Works Department (PWD) had assessed the building's stability several years ago and declared it unsafe. Despite this warning, the office continued to operate, putting staff at risk.
Executive engineer Subhash Parsekar confirmed that a section of the false ceiling's concrete fell. He stated that the government has already decided to relocate from the building, with offices scheduled to move out by April or May, before the monsoon season arrives.
Urgent Relocation Plans Underway
Parsekar explained that for the past three to six months, authorities have been searching for alternative spaces. Two potential locations have been identified: the BSNL building and the new Mapusa municipality building.
"The quotation for the BSNL building is very high, while the municipality is ready to provide their building," Parsekar said. He added that a third solution involves constructing a new ground-plus-three building on the department's own land at the Mapusa housing board.
This new facility will house Division VI and XVII offices, along with civil work and canteen facilities, and include car parking. Construction has begun, but it is expected to take at least two to three years to complete.
"As a stop-gap arrangement, we are trying to shift to the municipality building or the BSNL building," Parsekar emphasized.
Political Pressure for Immediate Action
Leader of the opposition, Yuri Alemao, expressed grave concerns on Tuesday, highlighting the daily dangers faced by employees. "With each passing day, the building continues to weaken, forcing employees to work under constant fear that the remaining slab may also give way," Alemao stated.
He described the situation as a serious threat to lives and urged the government to treat the matter with urgency. Alemao called for the immediate shifting of staff to an alternative location to ensure work continuity without risk.
Demand for Broader Structural Audits
Alemao also demanded a comprehensive structural audit of all government buildings in Goa. He pointed out that even schools in the state are not safe, with structural audits not conducted in several talukas.
"In some cases, schools were declared unsafe only after inspection. This raises serious questions about the government's approach to public safety," Alemao asserted, underscoring the need for proactive measures to prevent similar incidents.
The collapse incident serves as a stark reminder of the aging infrastructure in government facilities and the critical need for regular maintenance and timely action to safeguard public servants and citizens alike.
