-- Samir Umarye Both buildings share a common hazard as their structures are dangerously weak and pose a serious threat to their occupants; If the old market complex is rapidly losing its concrete from the slab and walls, the Town Centre building is literally falling into pieces The severely weakened Town Centre building at Bicholim.
SAMIR UMARYE BICHOLIM A decade separates two buildings of the Bicholim Municipal Council ( BMC), but both buildings share a common hazard as their structures are dangerously weak and pose a serious threat to their occupants. The old market complex was inaugurated on November 26, 1980, while the Town Centre building was inaugurated nearly 10 years on December 26, 1990. Both buildings are located in the heart of the city and are bustling with activities throughout the year. If the market complex is a commercial hub, the Town Centre has several government offices. The single- storeyed old market complex has almost completed 34 years and looks healthy from outside. But visit the first floor and be prepared to get a rude shock. “ For about two years, the slab of the building is collapsing and during rains, the passage is always filled with water,” remarked a shopkeeper from the market, while speaking on condition of anonymity. “ We have repeatedly informed this to the BMC but they have not taken the matter seriously.” After the media had highlighted the issue some years ago, the BMC merely plastered the slab and the building. “ The repairs by the BMC did not last long as the building itself is outdated,” said Nikhil Dixit from Bicholim. “ It seems that authorities are waiting for some tragedy to occur.” The old market complex presently houses more than 20 shops on the first floor, including a restaurant, bank and some other establishments. If the old market complex is SAMIR UMARYE rapidly loosing its concrete from the slab and walls, the Town Centre building is quite literally falling into pieces, with its weak window panes, metal sheets and other material falling on the road. “ The Town Centre, which houses important government offices like the labour inspector, RTO office, Banks and LIC offices, is frequented by locals and is totally neglected by authorities” claimed Dixit. “ Loose live wires and open meter boxes near the staircase can be seen in a neglected state. A visitor can easily get electrocuted. One can also witness water dripping on these open meter boxes. Cable wires have also not been secured in place and dangle loosely from the ceiling.” The BMC’s primary duty is to look after the administration of the town and ensure the well being of the citizens, but it has clearly failed as the council has been unable to address basic issues like maintenance of old structures and cleanliness of the area. “ These two buildings were major projects in Bicholim after the liberation and have not lost their importance in the present day. But, what it has been lost is the safety because of the sheer negligence of the BMC and other authorities,” former Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar told Herald. “ The issue of the old market complex came up for discussion in the recent assembly and the Urban Development Minister Franciso D’Souza had said he had sought a report in the matter. We expect that the government would sanction special grants to either repair or reconstruct these two buildings,” Patnekar said. When contacted, BMC Deputy Chairman Riyaz Beig told Herald that a private contractor had inspected the old market complex, after the issue was raised in the Assembly. “ A report was sent to the urban development department and secretary of Goa Legislative Assembly. According to the report, the condition of the columns on all floors is fairly good and stable, but the slab is bad at many places on the first floor and is in need of immediate repairs. We will immediately look into the matter,” Beig said. Ironically, the BMC is now planning a lift for the Town Centre building, so that the hall could be utilized on the fourth floor. “ The hall had been left unused for several years. We would have to plan a lift so that the people would use the hall for their functions. We will have a special inspection of the building on Monday so that we can get to know about the ground reality of the building,” Beig said.
