The Hindu 11.12.2010
Safe construction practices need of the hour
Stringent measures are needed to prevent recurrence of fires on the commercial streets of the city, writes Biju Govind.
The latest incidence of a fire at the Sweet Meat Street (S.M. Street) in Kozhikode on Thursday calls for strict action by the civic authorities to devise ways and means to prevent such mishaps in future.
Eight shops were destroyed or partially damaged in the fire that broke out pre-dawn. Fortunately, there were no casualties unlike the flare-up on April 5, 2007, when eight persons were killed. Then the fire had originated from a wholesale firecracker shop on the Moideen Palli road, adjacent to S.M. Street.
Several minor fire incidents had been reported from the streets in and around S.M. Street in the past few years, said officials attached to the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
They said the most accident-prone area is the Oasis compound situated on the Moideen Palli road that connects S.M. Street with Kallai Road at Palayam. Nearly 125 shops function on 50 cents of land. Another 80 shops function at the nearby Baby Bazaar; 40 at S.M. Street Cross Road, 50 at Jeddah Plaza and 200 on the P.M. Taj Road.
Some of these shops are more than 50 years old and many have been set up violating building norms with hazardous wiring system. The area is overcrowded, denying entry to vehicles in case of a disaster. Most of these shops merchandised plastic toys, textiles, sports goods and other easily flammable items, officials said.
If the fire on Thursday had spread to the next building, it would have reached the Moideen Palli road and the shops in the Oasis compound. Each fire incident leaves shopkeepers in a feeling of insecurity. It was high time authorities woke up to find a lasting solution, said P.M. Saheer, secretary, Oasis compound shop owners association.
Action stepped up
The district administration has taken steps to form a special squad to carry out inspections of buildings, especially old buildings, to determine whether they need rewiring. All the shops have been asked to install fire-fighting equipment. Fire hydrant points would be set up at different junctions, said P.B. Salim, District Collector.
Many traders also believe that a ban on private vehicles, including two-wheelers, on S.M. Street, Moideen Palli road and the P.M. Taj road will improve safety. However, the Corporation has to discuss the proposal with shop-owners.
The Corporation has prepared a long-term disaster management framework for the city. This includes a contingency plan for disaster management based on the recommendations of studies carried out by multiple agencies.
Another proposal is to make it compulsory to incorporate earthquake-and-fire-resistant technology in buildings, especially for tall buildings, bridges and flyovers.
Insisting builders to provide nuclear- and-bomb-proof cells in the basements of high-rise buildings and making the rule mandatory for government and quasi-government buildings was another provision, officials said.
