Another Kerala in the making?
Authorities 'ignore' safety norms over Margao firecracker godown
Despite several appeals no inspection undertaken
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
This freedom fighter had been knocking on the doors of the district authorities, and literally running from pillar to post to get a warehouse in Margao, storing fire crackers, inspected for fire safety norms.
The godown housed in a residential-cum-commercial building in the heart of the city at Malbhat “ just meters behind the apartment of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, had caught fire on two previous occasions. But, if freedom fighter and MARG convenor Gurunath Kelekar is to be believed, government agencies, including the fire and police personnel have turned a blind eye to the presence of the fire cracker godown right in the heart of the city.
In the light of the Kerala tragedy, claiming more than a 100 lives on Sunday, the freedom fighter on Monday headed to the Margao police station to express his concern over the presence of the fire cracker godown in the residential-cum-commercial building. “I have expressed my concern to Margao police station in-charge, PI C L Patil on the location of the godown storing fire crackers. However, PI Patil told me to either call on the fire officials or the Factories and Boilers division for appropriate action. I tried calling the fire officials, but in vain,” Kelekar said, while disclosing plans to call on the Director of Fire Services Ashok Menon.
Saying that he cannot be a silent spectator to the presence of the fire cracker godown in the heart of the city, which could cause a major tragedy in the nearby buildings in the event of a major fire, Kelekar said the government and its various authorities, including the District Collector, fire services et al should take a call on the presence of fire cracker godowns in the midst of residential buildings.
Replying to a question, he said the owner had stopped storing fire crackers at the godown for some time, but hastened to add that he saw a huge truck laden with fire crackers near the godown two days ago. “I am not against anyone, but I have been taking up the issue in the interest of the people and the State. Let the authorities inspect the godown and take appropriate action,” he said.
