Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the state government will instruct the BMC to chalk out a time-bound plan to make Mumbai fire-proof.
Mr Fadnavis said the government would instruct the BMC to go for fire audit of all public places, especially markets and malls. “No policy would work, unless we would curb unauthorised structures in the city. We will check whether the BMC has adopted any policy in this regard. If not, we will instruct the BMC to study and plan time-bound programme to make Mumbai fire-proof. The buildings should have smoke detector and internal fire-fighting system as well,” said the CM.
He added that he would instruct the BMC to revive fire hydrants and inspect the fire safety of all public buildings.
The chief minister’s assurance came after BJP MLA Raj Purohit raised a starred question about the fire that gutted more than 100 shops in South Mumbai’s iconic Crawford Market on October 25, 2015.
“Every city has its own, different topography. So the national fire policy may not suit all cities. Mumbai also has its own identity and issues, so to make Mumbai fire-proof, the state government should appoint an experts panel or special committee to study and make Mumbai a fire-proof city and frame separate rules, terms and conditions for Mumbai,” demanded BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar.
Ashish Shelar, BJP MLA, also pointed out the need for reviving fire hydrants and installation of fire alarms in all markets and malls. Colaba MLA Raj Purohit asked whether the government would compensate traders who lost their property in Crawford market fire took place in October 2015. Minister of state for urban development Dr Ranjit Patil said the traders can’t be helped as there is no such provision in BMC laws regarding it. Disappointed with his answer, members shouted and asked the CM to intervene into the matter, following which Mr Fadnavis waded into the debate. The CM also informed the House about the development of the Crawford market building.
