Daijiworld Media Network - Vasco

Vasco, Oct 30: Despite repeated fire incidents at the Mormugao municipal and modern market complexes, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has failed to ensure basic fire safety measures, with hydrants installed nearly four decades ago at the municipal market remaining non-functional.

Shopkeepers have repeatedly urged the civic body to strengthen fire safety arrangements, but their concerns have allegedly gone unaddressed, said former councillor and market shopkeeper Sudesh Kolgaonkar.

Both the municipal and modern markets have witnessed two fire incidents each. Since the two complexes are located close to each other, there is a serious risk of a fire spreading rapidly from one market to the other.

Although no lives have been lost in the incidents so far, the fires have caused substantial property damage and financial losses to shopkeepers.

“The municipal authorities must act immediately by restoring and installing functional fire hydrants and ensuring effective emergency response arrangements to prevent further damage and protect lives and property,” said another shopkeeper, Deva Amonkar.

Amonkar alleged that the council had failed to take preventive measures despite repeated appeals from shopkeepers. “Despite repeated demands, the authorities were unresponsive,” he said.