MARGAO: Lack of clarity over the jurisdiction of fire stations exposed the want of a proper disaster management plan in Salcete after a tree collapsed on the road in Cavelossim and blocked access to the commuters, including students going to school.
The stations of both, Cuncolim and Margao, Fire and Emergency Services did not reach the spot and locals had to take help from a local hotel to get rid of the fallen tree.
Villagers in Cavelossim raised questions about the disaster management plans since the locals had to seek help from a private hotel to clear the path. Locals were agitated due to the lack of cooperation from the emergency services stations and questioned what will be their response in case of other emergencies in the future.
Roy Barretto, a resident of Cavelossim, pointed out that he received a call from a local that a massive tree had fallen on the Mobor to Margao road and the route for the school bus and travelling students had been blocked.
He said “I then called the Margao fire station who advised me to call the Cuncolim fire station as it is located closer to us. However, the Cuncolim fire station told me that it’s not their jurisdiction and they asked me to call the Margao station again. In that bargain I lost precious 15 – 20 minutes of the emergency time. I really wonder if there is something called a disaster management plan in place for an emergency like this.”
