PANAJI
In the wake of the massive fire at Berger Becker Paint factory at Pilerne Industrial Estate, civic and consumer rights forum GOACAN on Wednesday called upon the Tiswadi Deputy Collector Rajesh Azgaonkar to express its concern about the need for fire prevention and safety measures in Panaji where several structures have not upgraded their fire safety measures.
In a letter to Azgaonkar, GOACAN has pointed out that in many parts of the city; electrical fittings are not maintained while several buildings have not upgraded their fire prevention measures.
“There are hundreds of LPG consumers in whose homes the Mandatory Mechanical Check (MMC) is not undertaken which makes these houses vulnerable to fires,” it states.
The NGO also pointed out to scrapyards existing in residential and commercial areas where pedestrians passing by are not aware of any fire prevention measures that have been put in place.
“We are aware that in Panaji City many projects are being taken up by the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), however, there is no signage displayed showing the ‘Fire Safety Plan for Panaji City’ which can be seen by locals and also the domestic and foreign tourists visiting Panaji,” GOACAN Co-ordinator Roland Martins said while speaking to reporters, after submitting the letter to the Deputy Collector.
While recalling a massive fire at the Panaji Bus Stand in November 2018, GOACAN has further urged the district administration to convene a joint meeting of the concerned agencies to take stock of the present situation and plan ahead accordingly.
