TEAM HERALD
PONDA: If the Bethora Industrial Estate (BIE) was found without fully functional hydrants, Ponda city has fared no better and hydrants were found out of order in key institutions in the city.
The fire hydrants at the police station, Tisk-Ponda and Ponda bus stand were all found out of order.
When contacted, Ponda Councillor Venkatesh Naik said hydrants were necessary at prominent locations like Ponda market, bus stand, business establishments, shops and petrol pumps.
“The fire department should write to PMC about the lack of fire hydrants and we will make efforts to provide such facilities. If fire hydrants are put in place, even people can use them in times of emergency and fire personnel need not depend on tenders from other parts of the State,” said Naik.
Naik also felt the need to equip the BIE with fire fighting equipment, in light of the major fire mishap at a factory on Monday.
“Bethora has several companies and small factories. A fire station is required with at least one fire tender with a provision of fire hydrants,” he added.
Ponda market vendor leader Mahesh Naik said Ponda market is a huge area with hundreds of vendors doing business and there should be fire hydrants.
He recalled the incident that took place in the market seven years ago and fire fighting became a major challenge due to an absence of fire hydrants and limited access for the fire tenders.
“The government should immediately install fire hydrants at essential places,” he said.
When contacted, assistant sub-divisional officer Rajendra Haldankar admitted that some fire hydrants are not working in Ponda city. “In times of emergency, such a provision is necessary which helps the fire personnel to douse off the fire within a short period of time,” he said.
