A new hydrant being installed in the congested market area to boost fire fighting preparedness.
MARGAO
Tucked along the busy roadside of the Margao Municipal New Market, a defunct fire hydrant and its adjoining chamber have long been repurposed by vendors for their daily work—symbolic of a system that has failed to serve its intended purpose for years.
The non-functional hydrants in and around the congested New Market and adjoining Gandhi Market have repeatedly proven ineffective during fire emergencies. Owing to inadequate water pressure, these hydrants were unusable in firefighting operations, forcing fire tenders to return to stations for refilling—resulting in critical delays.
However, a major overhaul is now on the horizon. An ambitious Rs 79-lakh project to install a dedicated water pipeline and a new network of fire hydrants across the market areas is nearing completion and is expected to be commissioned by the end of this month.
The long-pending project, originally proposed years ago to address logistical challenges in fire fighting, gained momentum after Margao MLA Digambar Kamat secured government approval.
The Water Supply Department has already laid a dedicated pipeline aimed at ensuring adequate pressure for fire fighting needs. The old hydrants have been phased out, and a total of 14 new hydrants are being installed to provide effective coverage across both markets.
Officials say initial testing of the new pipeline has yielded positive results. “The project is in its final stages. Installation of hydrants is underway, and only minor works remain before commissioning by month-end,” an official stated.
Looking ahead, the department is also exploring additional measures to strengthen the system. In the absence of a planned overhead water tank—delayed due to land constraints—authorities are considering the installation of booster pumps to further enhance water pressure and improve fire fighting capabilities.
The project is expected to significantly bolster fire safety infrastructure in one of Margao’s busiest commercial hubs.
