Goemakpronn desk
VASCO: Suggesting a carrot-and-stick approach to the many unsafe buildings in Vasco city, Vasco MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar has said unsafe buildings should be sealed and demolished while owners of private buildings can take advantage of the new FAR system.
Speaking to reporters, Salkar said the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) must initiate stringent actions, which include sealing and demolishing the building and recovering the costs from owners.
“There are private unsafe buildings and we have asked the occupants to interact with the owners and resolve the matter as these structures pose great danger to people during monsoons,” said Salkar.
“I have also asked the MMC to expedite the work to demolish unsafe buildings and prepare a plan, whereby the MMC can demolish the building and recover the cost from the owners or just seal the entire building for the safety of occupants and pedestrians. It is time the MMC takes tough action to instil fear and discipline in the minds of people, because they will be the first ones to be blamed in case of any disaster. A building outside the Vasco police station has to be demolished on top priority because despite then Vasco PI Nolasco Raposo’s request to authorities in 2017, nothing has been done,” said Salkar.
The Vasco MLA also suggested that owners of private buildings could take advantage of the new FAR system.
“After I raised the issue of unsafe buildings in the assembly and followed up the matter vigorously, TCP Minister Vishwajeet Rane promised to increase the FAR of the area and he kept his word,” said Salkar.
“Today, many housing societies or dilapidated buildings stand a chance to get an extra FAR (250) for new construction under the SPL zone. Mindful of the fact that owners and occupants cannot come to a consensus regarding redevelopment, the government has now come up with a special scheme and facility of a SPR zone.”
“This facility can be used for redevelopment of old dilapidated buildings and housing societies and it is time that occupants, building societies and owners make the most of this facility, which has been specially created for redevelopment,” said Salkar.
