PORVORIM: Bardez Mamlatdar Madhu Narvekar visited the Mapusa municipal market to inspect the fire hydrants and identify a suitable location to construct a sump and overhead water tank for supplying water to the hydrants.
He was accompanied by Mapusa fire station senior official Bosco Ferrao, Public Works Department (PWD) Assistant Engineer Vilas Tamboskar, and Municipal Engineer Venkatesh Sawant.
They observed that all five hydrants were inaccessible – and in some cases barely visible – as they were covered in mud or surrounded by the goods of roadside vendors. Additionally, vegetable and fruit vendors and haphazardly-parked vehicles cut off access to the hydrants, making it difficult for fire tenders to enter the market in case of a fire.
Addressing the press, Narvekar informed that he had directed the municipal engineer to clear the “obstacles” and ensure access for fire tenders could to the market. He added that a spot for constructing the sump and overhead tank had been identified, and MMC had been advised to hand over the land to the PWD.
Fire officer Ferrao stated the purpose of the visit was to identify a spot for the overhead water tank, which would supply water with full pressure to the hydrants. He added that more fire hydrants were needed at the market.
AE Tamboskar informed that the PWD required around 600 sq mts of land for the sump and overhead tank. He said, “The place has been identified. Once MMC allots the land, the estimate for the tank’s construction will be made.
Municipal Engineer Sawant said he would put a proposal before the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) for granting land to the PWD for the tank. Once MMC gives its approval, the construction of the tank will begin.
