Margao: Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has issued a strict warning to traders who have encroached on open spaces and footpaths in its twin markets, the new municipal market and the Gandhi market.With over 1,000 traders occupying virtually every inch of space available, both markets have become vulnerable to fire hazards, officials of the fire and emergency services (F&ES) admit. The authorities, however, have failed to take any serious remedial measures. Also, hardly any of the shops are equipped with basic fire-fighting equipment.“The highly congested market area leaves no access for the movement of fire tenders in case of an emergency. The municipality should ensure that all encroachments are cleared so that, in case of an emergency, the public can safely exit without a stampede being caused,” a senior fire official told STOI.Recently, MMC chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai pointed out that most shops in and around the new municipal market were operating without a municipality trade licence and without sans an NOC from the F&ES. Now, she has granted them one month’s time to comply with all legal requirements for running their trade and also to clear the footpaths of encroachments. Though there are over 40 fire hydrants installed at various places, most of them are non-functional.The existing fire hydrants had been installed in 1985. Sources also informed STOI that the last fire safety audit of a few public buildings was conducted nearly five years ago, but the recommendations outlined in the review report are yet to be acted upon. F&ES, south zone, deputy director, Nitin Raikar admitted that no safety audit has been conducted recently.

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