MARGAO
The Public Works Department's Water Supply Division has been given a one-week deadline to commission the fire hydrant system at Margao's New Market and Gandhi Market by installing a booster pump and equipping hydrants with hoses and couplings.
The move comes after it was found that the newly laid dedicated water pipeline and fire hydrants, installed around the markets at an estimated cost of Rs 79 lakh, do not generate sufficient water pressure to support firefighting operations.
The shortcoming came to light during a joint inspection on Tuesday by officials of the Fire and Emergency Services, including Divisional Fire Officer Francisco Mendes and Fire Officer Gill D'Souza, along with engineers from the PWD Water Supply Division.
The inspection followed Sunday's minor fire incident in the New Market area, which exposed the fact that the fire hydrants have still not been commissioned due to inadequate water pressure.
During the inspection, Fire Services officials stressed that the dedicated pipeline would serve little purpose unless it could provide the pressure required to sustain firefighting operations. They pointed out that a minimum water pressure of 3 kg/cm² is essential for effective firefighting. However, PWD officials stated that the existing pipeline is capable of delivering only 1.2 to 2 kg/cm².
To address the issue, officials decided to procure and install a booster water pump to increase the pressure in the pipeline. The option of constructing an overhead water tank has been ruled out because of the lack of available space in the market complex.
Margao MLA and PWD Minister Digambar Kamat said the fire hydrant system would be commissioned immediately after the installation of the booster pump and the fitting of hoses at the hydrant points. "Since the dedicated water pipeline does not have adequate pressure, a booster pump will be installed on a priority basis," Kamat said.
The minister has also constituted a three-member committee comprising officials from the PWD Water Supply Division, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Margao Municipal Council to oversee the work and ensure that the booster pump and hydrant hoses are installed within a week.
Kamat further said that the fire hydrant system will be commissioned after the Fire Services and the Water Supply Department conduct mock drills to test the efficacy of the facility.
