MARGAO
Has the Margao Municipal Council put in place the action plan submitted to the High Court on April 12 last, wherein the civic body had given an undertaking to make the waste dumping site fire proof.
As per the action plan, the Margao Municipal Council had proposed to set up four fire extinguishers at the site. Pose the question to the civic officials and they claim to have already put up the fire extinguishers at the site. Whether the fire extinguishers were put to use on Thursday when the waste management shed was engulfed by fire, however, remains unknown.
The action plan had proposed to set up six fire hydrants at locations around the existing Municipal solid waste management shed. The plan, however, has remained only on paper till date.
Reason: MMC officials pointed out there’s been no takers for the tender to set up the fire hydrants and the fire management system at Sonsodo till date. An official pointed out that the e-tender floated by the civic body is being extended again and again with the hope of roping prospective bidders to take up work of covering the Sonsodo site with fire hydrants, but in vain. “Our proposal to set up the fire hydrants has come a cropper for want of bidders. We will extend the tender to facilitate prospective bidders to bid for the project.”
As per the action plan, the MMC has further proposed to install MS pipeline for water supply around the MSW shed with suitable size in order to supply water to the fire hydrants.
The action plan further states that the Sonsodo site has borewell on the eastern side and a water tank of 50,000 litres capacity on the southern side of the premises. The water supply from the borewell is connected to the water tank which is about six metres above ground level. Also, a pump room is available in which a pump of 40 HP will be installed, the plan added.
While submitting the plan to the High Court, the MMC had stated that an estimate to provide the fire-fighting provisions at the Sonsodo site will be prepared and accordingly the work will be carried out and completed, approximately within a month’s time.
