Mapusa municipality pretty cool on decongesting market

PORVORIM, DEC 30
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) does not appear to have learnt lessons from the fire that destroyed 16 shops in the municipal market, causing a loss of about Rs 1 crore.
Following the incident, Bardez Deputy Collector Dashrath Redkar had convened a meeting of shopkeepers, officials of the PWD, electricity Department, fire brigade, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and the MMC in his chamber to discuss the fire that broke out in the Mapusa Market and to take preventive measures.
Redkar then mentioned that the market is so congested that it becomes nearly impossible for the fire tenders to enter the market. He also said the electrical wiring has become old, vehicles are parked in the market in a haphazard manner and that, water connection has not been provided to the fire hydrants.
He suggested that entry of the two and four wheelers in the market should be totally prohibited.
MMC Chairperson Sudhir Kandolker and Chief Officer Madhura Naik who attended the meeting had agreed to take necessary steps.
However, considering the present situation prevailing in the market, it is evident that MMC officials have not taken any preventive steps so far.
Vehicles are still parked in front of both gates of the market and also inside the market in a haphazard manner.
Vendors are seen occupying pavements and sitting on internal roads of the market to sell their goods.
The market is so congested that if fire breaks out again during day time it will be impossible for fire tenders to enter the market to extinguish the fire.
Fire hydrants have also not become operational as yet, nor are the officials of the Public Works Dpartment in a position to comment on when they would be operational.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Digamber Kamat has released compensation of Rs 3.3 lakh to the 16 shopkeepers whose goods were destroyed in fire, as assured by him during his visit to Mapusa market recently.
While 12 shopkeepers were given Rs 25,000 each, four fruit vendors got Rs 7,500 each.
“The chief minister has assured to release more compensation after receiving reports from authorities. Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA) has also decided to offer compensation to the shopkeepers and this amount will be handed over to them in a few days,” said MMA President Yehswant Gaudalker.
“The MMC has not taken the necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of a fire mishap in the market. The MMC had agreed to request the traffic police to post personnel in the market to prevent parking of vehicles in front of the gates and in the market. But nothing has been done in this regard,” Gaudalker added.