Takes cognizance of unauthorized construction and inflammable materials

Fire accidents have been occurring frequently at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Market.  In this regard the Bazaar Samiti had formed a committee last year. The report of this committee has been released, and it has placed blame on several stallholders.

At the APMC fruit market, a severe fire in November 2022 resulted in the burning down of 25 shops. In response to this incident, the Bazaar Samiti formed a committee to implement preventive measures and avoid the recurrence of such fire incidents in the five markets of APMC. The committee has conducted a comprehensive review of the situation.

During this period, it has been observed that there were no adequate fire prevention measures in place in both the market yards and the market premises. Additionally, the ground floor and first floor of the market are stocked with various types of flammable materials.

Various types of vehicles are parked haphazardly in the market area. Moreover, during the process of loading and unloading goods from different trucks and tempos, it has been noticed that there is a lack of proper fire safety measures. Additionally, some stallholders have engaged in unauthorized construction work by erecting walls along the roads. In certain sections, unauthorized usage of the canteen passage is still ongoing.

Any extra space is being utilized by stallholders. Tables have been placed on the walkways for conducting business. Unauthorized stalls have been set up next to cabins, and certain spaces have been commercially exploited by converting them from storage areas located below the walkways. As a result of these findings, APMC market authorities are taking action to curb unauthorized activities, as indicated in the special report.

As a result, there is a question regarding what action the administration will take against the stallholders accused by the committee to prevent fires in the APMC market in the future. Attempts have been made to contact Suresh Mohade, the Executive Engineer of APMC, for further information, but no response has been received yet.

The report suggests the following implementation plans:

·        For fire safety, install a fire extinguisher system every 100 feet or 30 meters.

·        Arrange for an underground water tank with a capacity of one lakh litres in this location.

·        Fire fighting pumps, including jockey pumps, main pumps, standby pumps, and diesel pumps, should be installed.

·        Strict compliance with the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act of 2006 and the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Rules of 2009 should be ensured in this market.

·        Notices should be issued to those responsible for encroachments within the market premises.

·        In case the encroachments are not removed, it is recommended to inform the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation once again by providing a written letter regarding the unauthorized construction in the market.

These plans aim to improve fire safety within the APMC market.