Vasco: Despite repeated fire incidents at the Mormugao municipal and modern market complexes, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has failed to ensure basic fire safety measures, with hydrants installed around four decades ago at the municipal market remaining non-functional.Shopkeepers have repeatedly urged the civic body to strengthen fire safety preparedness, but their concerns have gone unaddressed, said former councillor and market shopkeeper Sudesh Kolgaonkar.Fires have broken out twice each at the municipal and modern markets. Since the two complexes are located close to each other, there is a high risk of a blaze spreading rapidly between them.Although no lives have been lost so far, the incidents have caused substantial property damage and financial losses to shopkeepers.“The municipal authorities must act immediately by restoring and installing functional fire hydrants and ensuring effective emergency response arrangements to prevent further damage and protect lives and property,” said another shopkeeper, Deva Amonkar.Amonkar said the council had failed to take preventive measures despite repeated demands from shopkeepers. “Despite repeated demands, the authorities were unresponsive,” he said.
