Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: The issue of dilapidated and dangerous buildings in Vasco has triggered a war of words between Vasco MLA Krishna Daji Salkar and Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik, with the MLA warning civic officials of serious accountability in case of any tragedy, while the Chief Officer maintained that the municipality had already initiated action against unsafe structures.
During an inspection and review of the issue on Monday, Salkar strongly criticised the MMC for allegedly failing to take timely action against dangerous buildings and directed the Chief Officer to immediately issue notices to owners of unsafe structures and initiate necessary proceedings.
Expressing particular concern over the severely dilapidated buildings opposite Vasco Police Station, Salkar said the structures posed a serious threat to thousands of people visiting the police station and moving through the area daily.
“It is a calamity waiting to happen. I cannot understand why even a single notice has not been issued to the owner of this building. It is the duty of the Chief Officer to act. We cannot simply sit and wait for something unfortunate to happen,” Salkar said.
He warned that civic officials would be held accountable if a building collapsed and resulted in loss of lives due to negligence or failure to discharge their responsibilities. He said such negligence could even amount to criminal liability if authorities ignored repeated warnings about dangerous structures.
Salkar said he had been consistently raising the issue over the past four years as MLA and had also highlighted similar concerns during his 15-year tenure as a councillor. However, he expressed disappointment over the lack of concrete action.
Referring to the devastating fire at Vasco’s Sunday Market, Salkar said the incident should serve as an eye-opener for government departments and civic authorities to address potential dangers before they turn into major disasters.
He said he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and urged the MMC to stop delaying action against owners of dangerous buildings.
Meanwhile, Mormugao Mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit said the administration had conducted an inspection of dilapidated buildings in Vasco and submitted its survey report to the Collector.
However, Pandit clarified that issuing notices, passing demolition orders and initiating further proceedings against dangerous structures fell under the jurisdiction of the Mormugao Municipal Council under the provisions of the Municipal Act.
Responding to the MLA’s criticism, MMC Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik maintained that the municipality had been discharging its responsibilities and had not remained inactive on the issue.
Naik said the MMC had identified 54 dangerous buildings within its jurisdiction and submitted the list to the Collector. Of these, notices under Section 190 have been issued to around 38 buildings, while seven structures have already been demolished during the last one-and-a-half years.
“We are doing our job and are not sitting idle. The municipality has identified 54 dangerous buildings and submitted the list to the Collector. Appropriate action has been initiated against the identified structures,” Naik said.
Clarifying the status of the buildings opposite Vasco Police Station, which were specifically flagged by Salkar, Naik said notices had already been served to both buildings.
He said the Public Works Department (PWD) had conducted tests in 2025 and the reports were awaited.
Naik further informed that non-destructive testing (NDT) was being carried out in around seven buildings to assess their structural condition. The reports, once received, would be forwarded to the Collector’s office for further necessary action.
He also disclosed that one building was currently sub judice, while action against the Baina fish market building was pending due to an old resolution. Reports from the PWD were also awaited in respect of five buildings.
Responding to Salkar’s demand for immediate action and warning of accountability in case of a tragedy, Naik reiterated that the municipality had initiated proceedings wherever required.
He clarified that the structural assessment of the buildings opposite Vasco Police Station was being handled by the PWD and that the MMC had no role in conducting those tests.
With the MLA demanding immediate intervention and the MMC maintaining that notices and other proceedings have already been initiated, attention is now on the pending structural assessment reports and further action by the concerned authorities to ensure public safety in Vasco.
