Daijiworld Media Network – Margao

Margao, May 25: Panic struck Margao city yet again on Saturday morning after a concrete slab of an old building near Cine Lata came crashing down, just hours after a similar incident rocked the New Market area on Friday. The back-to-back mishaps have sent alarm bells ringing, exposing the alarming condition of several ageing and dilapidated buildings in Goa's commercial capital.

Fortunately, no injuries or major damage were reported in Saturday’s incident. The collapse came to light when early morning passers-by spotted chunks of concrete strewn across the road leading to Cine Lata. Closer inspection revealed that the wall of the building’s gallery had caved in, dragging along entangled electrical cables and leaving the stretch littered with debris.

Margao Municipal Councillor Raju Naik, who happened to be in the area, immediately alerted Margao Civic Chief Damu Shirodkar and concerned authorities. The city’s traffic police swiftly swung into action, cordoning off the road near the laundry to ensure public safety—just as they had done on Friday following the collapse of a slab from the Old Bank of Baroda building.

Deputy Collector Ganesh Barve, along with other officials, rushed to the scene. Taking stock of the precarious structure, Barve directed municipal officers to appoint a contractor on priority to remove the remaining loose concrete as a safety measure. "Precautionary steps are being taken to avert any untoward incident. We will act further based on expert assessment," he stated.

Municipal workers were deployed in strength to clear the debris and restore partial traffic movement. Meanwhile, Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz confirmed to The Goan that notices would be served to the owners of both buildings involved in the recent slab collapses. “Safety cannot be compromised. We will act strictly against negligence,” he said.

Margao MLA and former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat also visited the site and directed officials to engage technically-equipped contractors capable of handling such high-risk demolitions. “Margao cannot afford to wait for another disaster. Expert agencies must step in to assess and clear dangerous structures. Municipal workers can assist in clearing roads, but professional intervention is the need of the hour,” Kamat remarked.

With two collapses reported in as many days, residents and civic watchers are urging authorities to immediately survey all old buildings in the city and initiate structural audits before tragedy strikes. The crumbling concrete has not only shaken public confidence but also brought to fore the urgent need for a citywide safety overhaul.