ALBERT FERNANDES | NT
CANACONA
It has been around 10 years since the old Canacona community health centre, which functioned from a building that was once a military barrack of the Portuguese, was shifted to the new premises located in the vicinity, the old structure has been left unutilised and, hence, no maintenance.
The old building, which housed the community health centre till 2006, was a military camp of the Portuguese during its regime.
Soon after liberation, the then chief minister late Dayanand Bandodkar, following demands from the locals, had converted the barrack into a primary health centre, probably during 1964-65.
However, for the last 10 years the building has been left vacant and now, it is showing signs of neglect.
Although there were plans on the part of citizens to have the building utilised as an old age home due to its proximity to the new community health centre, nothing has moved forward on that front. There were moves by them to ask the government to give permission for opening a home for the aged. Some of them, speaking to this reporter, said that if they were given permission by the authorities, the building would have been a suitable place to run an aged home.
Further, there were also plans on the part of the government to house the road transport authority office in the old CHC. The existing RTA office, which is at the KTC bus stand, is congested and can be shifted to the old community health centre building.
It is learnt that the Canacona library was also considered for shifting to the old CHC building a year ago; however, that also has not materialised for reasons best known to the authorities.
“If this sort of attitude continues, the condition of the building will start deteriorating and it will become completely unutilisable,” expressed some senior citizens.
Some felt that the structure is still strong since it used to be the military camp of the Portuguese, but it needs to be maintained and preserved.
They said it was high time the government took note of it and utilised the building so that it remains in good condition. They said a balwadi could be shifted to this building.
Educationists, who spoke to this reporter, said that the building is suitable for housing the Canacona ADEI office.
As per the concerned authority, the building has gradually deteriorated and, hence, it has been left vacant.
However, the citizens feel that the authorities should get the building inspected and if it is safe, then it can be utilised for good purpose.
