In a long-overdue move, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has initiated a major project to overhaul the dangerously inadequate fire safety infrastructure at the bustling Panaji municipal market. This decisive action comes after a damning audit by the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), which found the entire firefighting system in the complex to be completely non-functional.
A Ticking Time Bomb in the Heart of Panaji
The Panaji market, a commercial hub hosting approximately 400 vendors and thousands of daily shoppers, had been operating under what officials described as a "ticking time bomb" scenario. The recent DFES inspection laid bare a shocking level of unpreparedness. Despite the physical presence of fire safety hardware, not a single component was found to be operational.
The audit report detailed widespread failures across critical systems. Fire hydrants, hose reels, automatic water sprinklers, and smoke extractors were all non-functional. Furthermore, evacuation routes were compromised due to a lack of proper signage at fire exits, putting lives at severe risk in the event of an emergency.
Years of Warnings Ignored Until Now
This systemic neglect is not a new discovery. Records indicate that DFES inspections in 2014 and 2017 had previously flagged the poor maintenance of equipment. These warnings were largely ignored until a short circuit triggered a fire at the market in February 2017, which narrowly avoided escalating into a major catastrophe. Despite standing for over two decades, the market's Phases I and II had never undergone a full technical audit for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems until the recent DFES intervention.
Following the formal submission of the audit report demanding immediate rectification, the CCP has now invited proposals from qualified consulting firms. The selected firm will be responsible for a full-scale condition assessment to identify defects, performance gaps, and safety hazards. They will also prepare technical estimates for repairs and supervise the installation of new, compliant firefighting equipment.
A Four-Month Deadline for Compliance
The CCP has set an ambitious timeline for this critical safety upgrade. The civic body aims to complete all necessary work within four months of issuing the work order. The scope of work for the consultants will encompass providing comprehensive MEP services for both phases of the market to rectify the years of decay.
According to tender documents, the new firefighting mechanism must be fully compliant with the National Building Code, the National Fire Protection Association standards, and all local bylaws. This move signifies a crucial, albeit belated, step towards ensuring the safety of one of Panaji's most crowded public spaces, finally addressing a hazard that has been allowed to fester for years.
