VASCO, JAN 4
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Gopal Parsekar has convened a joint meeting with authorities on Wednesday to take immediate measures regarding the dilapidated fire hydrant system at Vasco Municipal market.
The meeting has been convened with the electricity, PWD, fire and MMC officials.
Following a complaint from Disaster Management In-charge of Mormugao and Deputy Collector Levinson Martins, Vasco Fire Brigade along with Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) official recently inspected the dilapidated fire hydrant system of Vasco Municipal market.
Vasco Fire Brigade Station Officer Bosco Ferrao along with MMC CO Gopal Parsekar and civic Engg John Abreu carried out joint inspection and noticed as many has seven shortfalls of the dilapidated fire hydrant system and status of the congested market, which suggest that it is vulnerably exposed to fire.
Ferrao in his report has stated that the main fire hydrant line which is connected to the underground well with a pump near the municipal garage is found to be non-operational, while municipal authority had informed Ferrao that separate fire line has been installed by the PWD, which was non-traceable during inspection.
Ferrao further stated that all the six pillar post hydrants installed in the market area are in a dilapidated condition, as most of the hydrant pits are covered with concrete slabs and mud.
Since most of the shops occupied by the vendors are mostly covered with tarpaulins sheets and other plastics combustible materials, it is exposed to fire.
To make the scenario worst, electricity wire is passing through the plastic material and haphazardly connected to the shops. Some shops are storing kerosene and explosive without adequate fire protection measures.
Sources informed that if any eventuality occurs, no adequate passage is maintained for the fire fighting appliances to enter the market area.
“Most of the shops do not have the fire fighting extinguishers, which is mandatory as per the Goa State Fire Force Act 1986 and Rules 1997,” claimed Ferrao.
When asked if the shops have failed to store fire aid fighting extinguishers and why they have not fined the violating shopkeepers, he said the Fire Department has no power to fine the violator, but insisted that few shops have commenced the process to obtain NOC from the Fire Department for fire fighting extinguishers.
It is learnt that when Herald had reported the matter, the Director of Emergency and Fire Services showed keen interest to ensure fire system is placed in Vasco market to avoid any damage to humans and property.
