PANAJI
Over four months following the devastating fire at the Berger Becker factory “that prompted Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to step up measures to enhance fire safety protocols - audits at all the industrial estates are still pending.
The GIDC, Chairman Aleixo Reginald Lourenco told The Goan, had formally requested the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services to conduct comprehensive fire safety audits across the industrial estates to prevent possible recurrence of the mishap at the paint factory in Pilerne.
“We already requested the fire department to conduct fire safety audits at all the industrial estates. It is a mandatory precaution to ensure there are no fire incidents in the future. We will send the fire officers a reminder shortly,” he said indicating inspections are pending.
At the same time, factories and industries are directed to simultaneously ensure fire safety standards are met at their own level.
The fire incident at Berger Becker, which occurred in January, resulted in substantial damage to the facility as well as significant economic loss. The incident raised concerns about fire safety measures and highlighted the need for a thorough evaluation of fire prevention and response protocols across industrial estates in the State.
The GIDC aims to identify any potential shortcomings in the existing fire safety measures and implement necessary improvements, he said. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has already said that the ‘red industries’ are directed to ensure all safety precautions are in place.
“The audits will encompass all industrial estates including those housing a wide range of industries such as manufacturing, warehousing, processing, etc. The fire department will evaluate various aspects of fire safety, including fire suppression systems, emergency exits, evacuation plans, and the availability and functionality of firefighting equipment,” a fire official said, adding that they are in the process of inspecting the premises.
