In recent months, Goa has witnessed a disturbing spate of slab collapses in old buildings, some residential, some government-owned. Thankfully, none of these incidents have yet resulted in casualties. But that is sheer luck, not foresight.
Sooner or later, the state may not be so fortunate. The cracks in our infrastructure mirror the cracks in governance, both demand urgent and serious attention.
It is no secret that across Goa, numerous old buildings, many constructed decades ago, continue to be occupied despite their visibly deteriorating condition.
From rusted reinforcements and weakened columns to sagging slabs and crumbling facades, these buildings pose a grave risk to the lives of those who live and work within them.
Unfortunately, successive governments have turned a blind eye to this silent but growing crisis. The time for ignorance has long passed; what we need now is decisive, preventative action.
The most alarming aspect of the current situation is that it’s not limited to private constructions. Many government quarters, meant to house employees of various departments, are themselves in a pitiable and unsafe state. Peeling plaster, leaking roofs, fungus-ridden walls, and weakened stairwells are common features.
These buildings, some older than 40 years, continue to serve as official residences, even though they fall far short of basic safety norms.
It is imperative that the government commissions a comprehensive structural audit of all such buildings—both public and private, with priority given to those over 25 years old. These audits must be carried out by reputed, independent agencies with no vested interest in covering up risks.
A public database of audit findings, with building-wise risk grades, should be maintained to ensure transparency and empower citizens with information about the places they inhabit.
The issue of dilapidated private structures is even more complex.
Many Goan families continue to live in ancestral homes that are no longer structurally safe but cannot afford to demolish or rebuild.
Financial constraints prevent them from taking necessary action, even when their own safety is at stake.
Similarly, many housing societies, especially in urban areas like Panaji, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco, and Ponda, struggle to agree on redevelopment plans or simply lack the funds for structural repairs.
This is where the government must step in, not just with words, but with policy. A dedicated redevelopment assistance scheme must be formulated that offers financial aid, low-interest loans, or subsidies to families and societies looking to rebuild or retrofit dangerous buildings.
In cities like Mumbai, such schemes have been instrumental in enabling the redevelopment of thousands of old structures, reducing urban risk while improving living conditions.
The government must also consider creating a State Urban Housing Renewal Mission, tasked with identifying high-risk buildings and coordinating efforts between municipal bodies, civil engineers, architects, and financial institutions. Additionally, housing societies undertaking voluntary audits or repairs should be incentivized through tax rebates or expedited approvals.
Enforcement also needs teeth. Local bodies like the PWD and municipal corporations must be empowered and obligated to declare buildings unfit for occupancy where needed—and act to evacuate residents if necessary. While it is a difficult and emotionally sensitive decision to displace families, the alternative may be a future headline about lives lost in a preventable collapse.
This issue isn’t merely about crumbling concrete and rusting steel; it’s about safety, dignity, and responsible governance. It is also about learning from past tragedies in other states—be it Mumbai’s regular building collapses or Delhi’s fire-prone old markets. Goa still has a chance to act before tragedy strikes.
What’s at stake is not just the structural integrity of buildings but the moral integrity of a government that must protect its people. Let this not become another example of policy inertia and disaster by neglect. The government must act now before it’s too late.
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