A massive fire broke out in C block market last month causing heavy damage to several shops in a row. There was another fire on the second floor of HDFC Bank in D block on July 13.
Being the second Saturday, it was a closed holiday for the bank. The fire occurred due to an electrical short circuit. Luckly no damage to men and material has been reported. These are not the only two instances of fire that have taken place. There are many more but have remained unreported. “How long luck will continue to favour us?” says Dr. Bagai.
Markets are continuing to remain overcrowded with electrical and high-tension power lines dangling precariously with no planned firefighting equipment in the vicinity.
The pavements and parking areas in and around the markets are under occupation by several illegal vendors. Cooking is being conducted on the pavements without adequate safeguards.
There is a liquor shop in one of the basements in the C block market with no escape route in case of fire. The entry leading to the basement has old tempered electrical wires/ junction boxes. The small place is over stocked with liquor stock.
In E block market the parking place has been occupied by ‘Dhabawalas’ with cooking being done in the open – a potential hazard to the regular shops and the residents nearby. Similar is the scenario in the A block market.
It is high time the Government Servant’s Cooperative House Building Society and Vasant Vihar Welfare Association took stock of the situation and started working towards bringing the situation under control.
The time bomb is ticking sending warning signals. It is time to act before it is too late to act.
