Kozhikode: Without sufficient fire safety mechanisms, SM Street at the heart of the city is a ticking fire bomb always ready to trigger off a conflagration, say experts as well as traders.
Though the Fire and Rescue Department had submitted a note to the government demanding installation of a network of fire hydrants with necessary accessibility to fire force vehicles earlier, the project is yet to be cleared. With hundreds of old dilapidated shops with tiled roof and wood framework, the heritage street has been witnessing outbreaks of fire every month, though only the serious ones get reported, it was pointed out.
Former chairman of the Calicut Chamber of Commerce PTS Unni told DC that the electrical inspectorate should make a thorough inspection of the wiring of all shops and licenses to those with faulty wiring should be cancelled. “Without completing the inspection, no shops should be allowed to function”, he added.
Though the earlier fires passed off with fewer casualties, the result need not be the same the next time, he said, adding that for protecting the interests of a few traders, all the entire city dwellers were being put at risk.
However Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithy president T Nazarudheen said that the traders were ready to cooperate with any beautification project. “But those behind the project should take into consideration the problems faced by traders once the project is implemented”, he added.
However the Department of Fire and Rescue is waiting for the green signal from the state government for the safety network in SM Street.
Fire and Rescue assistant divisional officer Arun Bhaskar told DC that the project submitted by the department was for installation of fire hydrants and other fire-fighting and rescue operation facilities worth around Rs 2 crore. “We were promised the money from the Municipal Corporation fund and other funds”, he added. Without ensuring necessary safety measures no renovations and beautification projects would be permitted in the street, it was pointed out.
