A fire engulfed Margao New Market on Tuesday afternoon, marking the fourth such incident in the year. The recurring fires have forced shopkeepers to voice serious concerns about the safety of the 470 shops due to the non-functioning of two fire hydrants. The shop owners have strongly demanded the immediate repair of these hydrants and the installation of tanker facilities. They specifically stressed the absence of proper parking facilities and highlighted the risks associated with double-sided parking.
Vinod Shirodkar, President of the Margao New Market Traders Association, voiced the gravity of the situation, saying, “Something worse could happen, and people could lose their lives here. The chief officer, the mamlatdar, and the municipality officials should come and inspect the parking situation in the market.” Shirodkar urged the municipality to initiate pay parking to address the chaotic parking situation in Margao, also alleging the presence of unauthorized buildings in place of designated parking spaces.
Highlighting the urgency, shop owner Devidas Borkar pointed out the additional hazard of wires that could lead to short circuits, increasing the risk of fires. Borkar stressed the need for tankers and hydrants, expressing concern about the failure of underground wiring. “Vehicles especially emergency vehicles cannot come in the market, we had constantly demanded tankers and hydrants, even the underground wiring has failed and now the municipality got them out even that can pose dangers of short circuit,” said Borkar.
Gopal Naik, another shop owner, expressed frustration over the lack of results after meetings with authorities following each fire incident. “After a fire erupts, we meet the MLA and other authorities, then there is a meeting held at the Margao Municipality but there are no results. A collaborative effort among officials will lead to a solution to the persisting issues,” he suggested.
Rajesh Ajgaonkar, echoing similar sentiments, revealed that the fire hydrants were installed 25 years ago. He called on the Public Works Department (PWD) and higher authorities to address the situation, suggesting that even setting up parking spaces near the old fish market could ease 50 per cent of the traffic problems.
