False Ceiling Collapse at Goa Electricity Department Office in Mapusa
A section of concrete from the false ceiling at the Goa electricity department office in Mapusa collapsed recently, falling onto a printer. Fortunately, no employees were injured in the incident, which has raised serious concerns about the structural integrity of the government building.
Building Declared Unsafe Years Ago
The building, which was inaugurated in November 1986, had already been deemed unsafe after the public works department (PWD) conducted a structural stability assessment several years ago. This recent collapse underscores the urgent need for relocation, as highlighted by officials.
Plans for Vacating and Relocation
Executive engineer at Mapusa, Subhash Parsekar, confirmed that a part of the concrete from the false ceiling fell, and the government has decided to vacate the premises. He stated that the offices are likely to shift out by April or May.
Parsekar explained, "For the past three to six months, we have been trying to find a new space. Two locations have been identified: the BSNL building and the new building of the Mapusa municipality. However, the quotation for the BSNL building is very high, while the municipality has shown willingness to provide space in its new building."
Temporary and Permanent Solutions
As a temporary arrangement, the department is considering moving to either the municipality building or the BSNL building. In the long term, a new ground-plus-three building is being constructed at the Mapusa housing board. This facility will eventually house offices of Division VI and XVII, along with the civil section and canteen, and will include parking facilities. Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete.
Political Response and Safety Concerns
Leader of opposition Yuri Alemao expressed that employees are working under constant fear due to the unsafe conditions. He urged the government to shift staff immediately to prevent any untoward incidents and called for a comprehensive structural audit of all government buildings, including schools, across the state.
This incident highlights broader issues of infrastructure maintenance and safety in public buildings, prompting calls for swift action to ensure the well-being of government employees and the public.
