MARGAO
After the deadly Arpora fire that killed 25 people, the government and district administration swung into action. They promised fire safety audits across all pubs in the tourism belt. Authorities also said they would strictly enforce fire safety rules in commercial places.
The urgency was understandable. The tragedy badly shook Goa’s tourism sector. The government also faced strong criticism for ignoring fire safety rules and licence checks earlier.
Now, attention turns back to Margao, Goa’s commercial capital. December 26 will mark two years since a major fire gutted part of the crowded New Market. The market has around 400 shops and stalls packed closely together. The fire was meant to be a wake-up call, highlighting how vulnerable the area remains to such disasters.
After the 2023 fire, the Fire Services Department had suggested several important safety steps for the Margao Municipal Council. These included repairing the fire hydrants around the New Market, laying a dedicated water pipeline, and putting in place clear safety rules for such a congested area.
Nearly two years later, most of these steps are still pending. The damaged fire hydrants remain unused across the market.
Traders have been demanding a dedicated overhead water tank for over a decade, but the proposal is still stuck on paper. Officials say the delay is due to lack of space.
Defunct fire hydrants
After the fire exposed major gaps in fire safety at both the New Market and Gandhi Market, the District Disaster Management Authority proposed replacing the broken hydrants and laying a special water pipeline to ensure a 24x7 water supply. The plan also included building an overhead water tank for uninterrupted water during firefighting.
When The Goan spoke to a senior PWD Water Supply official, he said the work on the new pipeline and hydrants in both markets would begin soon. The project, costing around Rs 80“90 lakh, has already been awarded to a contractor.
While this brings some relief, serious questions remain. Why was such an urgent project delayed for nearly two years despite the clear danger to life and property? Was the delay due to paperwork, lack of approvals, or shortage of funds? And when will the authorities and the Margao Municipal Council finally identify land for the overhead water tank near the markets?
