Sources in the Electricity Department mentioned that the fires have become a recurring feature in the municipal market. During Christmas 2012, some 16 shops in the municipal market had been gutted in a fire causing a loss of around Rs 1 crore. Thereafter, in 2013, fires broke out on January 4, February 11, May 28 and July 22. In 2014, there were fires on May 16, July 12 and August 18, and in 2015 on January 9, October 13 and October 23.
Last month, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had visited Mapusa market and advised Electricity Department to take precautionary measures.
Following the visit of the Chief Minister to the market, Electricity Department inspected the electrical wiring of the shops and found that in many shops mangled electrical wires were hanging and posing a threat to life. They also found that the electrical wiring of some shops had become old and required immediate replacement. Notices have been issued to shopkeepers whose electrical wiring has been found defective and can lead to a short circuit. The shopkeepers have been given one month to send their replies, sources said.
The President of Mapusa Merchants Association, Yeshwant Gaundalker, mentioned that the suggestions made by Electricity Department are good and the shopkeepers should get their old wiring changed to prevent fire incidents and avoid losses.
