JOIN USThe new complex of the Sri Krishnarajendra Market, despite witnessing major fire tragedies in the past, lacks fire safety measures.
The officers from Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services (KSFES), who recently visited the market complex, have made various suggestions to fire safety measures in place.
“The KR Market complex is a low-rise building. The structure does not have fire safety measures. Hence, we have suggested for the installation of an alarm system, fire extinguishers, water pipes among other measures,” an official of the department said.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Fire and Emergency Services) M Chandrashekhar told Deccan Herald that they would submit a report to the State government and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on the fire safety measures at the market. The officials maintained that the Palike which owns the market would be told to instal the necessary fire safety equipment.
The KR Market traders said that 10 fire extinguishers inside the complex were not in working condition.
“Seven major accidents have taken place inside the complex. The two lifts are also non functional. Similarly, there are no sufficient exits. We had approached the Palike, but there has been no response to our requests,” said Asif Pasha, a trader. The traders said that the personnel from Fire department inspected the premises after they submitted a memorandum.
BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana, when contacted, said that compared to Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and other government buildings, the market was pretty much safe.
He, however, said that he would take necessary steps to ensure fire safety at the premises. Chandrashekhar said that fire safety systems were being installed in the government buildings across the City. Recently, Upa Lokayukta Justice Subash B Adi instructed the KSFES to conduct an inspection and suggest safety measures.
“We give suggestions to the government departments in case we come across discrepancies in the fire safety system. However, the concerned departments have to act finally,” he added.
Traders say the four-storey market complex, which houses 1,310 shops, witnessed a major fire accident in 2013 when 50 shops were gutted and in 2011 when 10 shops were gutted.