If five instances of fire in nine months aren’t enough to call for a complete revamp of the electrical system in the Mapusa market, then what is? Now that the issue has reached such a point, everyone has sprung into action, but one of the questions that needs to be asked is, why did this take so long?
The recent fire at the Mapusa market, where a café went up in flames, just highlights the state of infrastructure in the state. This is a popular market, one that is filled to the brim on Fridays thoughout the year and even on other days sees thousands pass through. It is the epicenter of trade in North Goa and even caters to many who drive down from neighbouring Maharashtra. It is also a draw for tourists, especially on Fridays. Why is a public space like this so neglected?
The market complex has been around for decades, and is rife with incidents of subletting, illegal construction, encroachments and squatting. Wires are visible everywhere and meter boxes are stuck in dark corners of the shops, old wires trailing from them. A ‘perfect’ setting for a disaster. Since January 2015, there have been five instances of fires. Everyone is blaming everyone else. Of course, there have been letters sent and requests made, so why wasn’t anything done?
The local MLA, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza has stated that the fault lies with the owners of the establishments, claiming that they avail of permission for a certain amount of power points and then increase it thereby causing an overload. If this is not a secret and the procedure is so well known, then why wasn’t there a crackdown on erring owners? Surely, this should have been done?
Now there have been moves made to conduct an electrical audit of the entire market, parts of which have been around for more than half a century. It’s high time that this is done and it’s not too late to put measures in place to avoid something worse happening.
Markets and bus stands in Goa are probably two areas that draw large crowds. They must be constantly monitored and checked for illegalities and deviations from norms. These places are automatic fire hazards. As with many pubic (and private) spaces in other countries, the fire department must have plans put in front of them which provide for easy escape in the event of a fire and ways to access critical points.
While the Panaji market is a new structure, the Margao and Vasco markets are still age old structures, with more disasters waiting to happen. The fire and electrical departments must be roped in to conduct complete revamps of the electrical and fire systems across Goa.
When mistakes happen, they should be investigated and rectified. The government may be now attempting to run a tight ship and solve these problems in Mapusa but their lack of movement over the past nine months is a black mark that should not be excused.
