<p>Nearly a fortnight after a fire broke out at Bhagirath Place, exposing city’s lack of preparedness to deal with a disaster, the area councillors have demanded that the North Corporation relocates shops selling chemicals and the wholesale paper market from the Walled City.<br /> <br />“It took more than two days for the fire department to douse the fire as the roads were too congested to allow fire tenders to reach the buildings,” said Alley Mohammad, city zone chairman. <br /><br />“If the fire had taken place in the chemical market, it would have been a disaster. For the area’s safety, the markets must be shifted out,” he said. </p>.<p><br />The zone chairman put forth his demand on the behalf of the councillors of the city zone before the civic body standing committee.<br /><br />Too crowded</p>.<p><br />Apart from the chemical and paper markets, Alley said the motor spare parts market in Kashmere Gate must be shifted as it has become very crowded due to heavy footfall in the area. Pressing the demand, he said at present the roads are too congested for people to walk on. <br /><br />“If the corporation is unable to shift the markets, then it must be ensured that at least the fire safety facilities are available,” Mohammad added. <br /><br />The chemical market located at Khari Baoli and the paper market at Chawri Bazaar are supposed be to shifted to Holambi Kalan and Ghazipur respectively but so far adequate arrangements have not been made.<br /><br />Civic body officials said the process of shifting all the markets has not been completed as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has not made land available. <br /><br />Leader of the House in North Corporation Mahender Nagpal said relocation of the markets requires all agencies such as discoms, Delhi Jal Board, DDA, PWD and municipal corporation to come together and it takes time. <br /><br />“Shifting markets is a tedious process. Land has to be acquired and then water and electricity has to be provided,” Nagpal said.<br /><br />On December 13, a fire had broken out in two shops at Bhagirath Place. It took 250 firemen nearly 48 hours to work non-stop to finally put it out. <br /></p>
<p>Nearly a fortnight after a fire broke out at Bhagirath Place, exposing city’s lack of preparedness to deal with a disaster, the area councillors have demanded that the North Corporation relocates shops selling chemicals and the wholesale paper market from the Walled City.<br /> <br />“It took more than two days for the fire department to douse the fire as the roads were too congested to allow fire tenders to reach the buildings,” said Alley Mohammad, city zone chairman. <br /><br />“If the fire had taken place in the chemical market, it would have been a disaster. For the area’s safety, the markets must be shifted out,” he said. </p>.<p><br />The zone chairman put forth his demand on the behalf of the councillors of the city zone before the civic body standing committee.<br /><br />Too crowded</p>.<p><br />Apart from the chemical and paper markets, Alley said the motor spare parts market in Kashmere Gate must be shifted as it has become very crowded due to heavy footfall in the area. Pressing the demand, he said at present the roads are too congested for people to walk on. <br /><br />“If the corporation is unable to shift the markets, then it must be ensured that at least the fire safety facilities are available,” Mohammad added. <br /><br />The chemical market located at Khari Baoli and the paper market at Chawri Bazaar are supposed be to shifted to Holambi Kalan and Ghazipur respectively but so far adequate arrangements have not been made.<br /><br />Civic body officials said the process of shifting all the markets has not been completed as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has not made land available. <br /><br />Leader of the House in North Corporation Mahender Nagpal said relocation of the markets requires all agencies such as discoms, Delhi Jal Board, DDA, PWD and municipal corporation to come together and it takes time. <br /><br />“Shifting markets is a tedious process. Land has to be acquired and then water and electricity has to be provided,” Nagpal said.<br /><br />On December 13, a fire had broken out in two shops at Bhagirath Place. It took 250 firemen nearly 48 hours to work non-stop to finally put it out. <br /></p>
