Margao: Hundreds of citizens who walk into the Osia commercial complex every day for govt work are being greeted by an obnoxious reception — overflowing garbage, paan-stained staircases, unreliable elevators and a stench that visitors say has become impossible to ignore.The complex, which houses several important state govt offices including the RTO, the sales and commercial tax office, the town and country planning department and the South Goa Planning and Development Authority, has long been flagged for its poor upkeep. Despite repeated complaints to the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), residents and shopkeepers say little has changed on the ground.Visitors describe damp, dingy corridors, non-functional lifts, and poorly maintained toilets. Garbage disposal remains erratic, with waste seen lying uncleared in passages and near elevators.“The situation here is deteriorating due to a lack of upkeep and maintenance,” said Mahesh Naik, who has an office in the building, pointing specifically to the toilets, whose foul smell, he said, adds to the discomfort of everyone who steps inside.A visitor to the RTO said the elevators were the most pressing concern, as many times they simply don’t function.Senior citizens are the most affected by unreliable elevators, as the stairway is steep and risers are high.The ground floor of the building tells the story of neglect — water leakages, discarded liquor bottles, broken tiles and sleeping strays crowd the passageways. At night, the same corridors reportedly double up as sleeping spaces for beggars and vagrants, raising further safety concerns for anyone entering or exiting the building after business hours.With footfall among the highest of any public building in the town, residents said the authorities should step in and show accountability.
