Markets flout fire norms, no lessons learnt from Nandaram

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Mouparna Bandopadhyay

Posted online: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 01:09:01
Updated: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 01:09:01

Kolkata, April 15 If the fire and emergency services department is to be believed most of the markets and restaurants in Kolkata are openly flouting the fire safety norms. The reason being the negligence on part of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and owners of the restaurants. This, in spite, the recent fire at Nandaram market that had exposed the vulnerability of city’s market to fire and their ill preparedness to tackle it.

Officials of the fire services department said that most of the markets under the KMC do not have a fire licence although it is mandatory for all the markets to renew their fire safety certificates every year.

“Take the example of the Hogg market. The fire services department had made recommendations about the fire safety equipments required for the market to the KMC almost five years ago. The recommendations were implemented but never renewed and the whole fire safety system there is now lying defunct,” said Gopal Bhattacharya, Director, West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department.

Bhattacharya said that markets in Topsia, Tiljala and Kidderpore are also flouting fire safety norms.

Similar is the case with many restaurants in the Park Street. A number of these restaurants have either not renewed their licences or have not bothered to get one.

“Several restaurants in Karnani mansion have no in-built fire safety measures,” Bhattacharya added.

He feels that all restaurants should have an auto system with fire pumps, sprinklers and detectors. Bhattacharya said that the KMC should not renew the trade licence of any establishment that fails to show the fire safety certificate.

Municipal Commissioner Alapan Bandyopadhyay, however, said: “It has been decided that the Fire Services department will inspect all markets under KMC and make necessary recommendations. They will implement the same through their empanelled agencies.”

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