Building collapse tragedy at Canacona, Goa – have we learnt a lesson, yet?

The tragic incident at Canacona Goa, in which 17 innocent lives were lost and an equal or more number are still feared to be trapped – is one of the worst calamities Goa has witnessed in recent years.

Post-mortem of this event will have fingers pointed at one another, blame games played – truth may or may not surface, actions may or may not be taken. However, the incident has multiple questions posed for the administration and the government.

One amongst the top questions to be asked: Is the state well equipped with Disaster management?

Are our officials well trained to handle such circumstances? Does the state government have enough machinery or capacity to organize for a helping hand from specialists in quick time?

It was the Chief Minister’s presence that could supervise the situation on the day this event occurred. However, we cannot expect his presence and instructions in all such cases. The associated departments and their officials should have been prepared to handle any such incidents.

From various newspaper reports it can easily be inferred that neither the Disaster Management Authorities nor our medical facilities were prepared to tackle such situations. Hence, Indian Army and the National Disaster Management Response Force from Pune were pressed to join in the rescue.

The way state administration has handled the rescue operations, only testifies their ill-preparedness in handling disasters of this magnitude. Time was of essence here and we lost most of it!

The next worry that follows: Do we have the best and easy-to-reach medical care and facilities?

This tragic incident has clearly opened up the limitations of state government in terms of medical aid. Inadequate number of ambulances and attendants, lack of medical staff and basic facilities at primary health centers and so on. The injured had to depend for aid to arrive from Hospicio in Margao and take help of private vehicles to be hospitalized. We cannot have Goa Medical College as our last resort, especially when the tragedy strikes at a distant place like Canacona. Cannot we have our primary health centers upgraded to cater to medical aid even of the people in its locality?

The only silver lining was the efforts of doctors who were learnt to have continued working post their regular shift hours keeping in mind the magnitude of the situation.

Another question that is revolving around my mind: Is the government having any control over the rampant construction that is happening around?

I am not sure on any checks and inspections that our state officials are taking up to ensure safety of our buildings. What about the land conversion, other legalities and permissions? Is any state authority aware of the quality of material that is being used for such constructions? Are we toying with innocent lives for some monetary gains?

Is there also any formal examination done of the old structures in the state? What about many of those dilapidated buildings in various towns of Goa? What about our school buildings, hospitals and government quarters/offices?

We should learn our lessons from these tragedies and put in place appropriate measures. If not, such disasters are always waiting to happen!