Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday said his department was coordinating with traders affected by the massive fire at Vasco’s Sunday Market, as the state government stepped up efforts to assess the damage and restore normalcy in the affected area.
Rane said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the fire-hit market on Wednesday night, was personally monitoring the situation. Following discussions with the Chief Minister, instructions had been issued to the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), the municipal administrator and the Secretary of Urban Development to remain in contact with the affected traders.
“Necessary steps are being taken to ensure that things are restored in a meticulous and proper manner,” Rane said, adding that the department was monitoring the situation and examining all aspects of the incident.
The devastating blaze broke out late Wednesday night and gutted more than 150 shops in the market area, where traders had stocked goods ahead of the Diwali festivities. The incident has left several traders facing substantial financial losses at a crucial time for their businesses.
Apart from the major market fire, two other fire incidents were reported in Vasco. A fire broke out at a house on the outskirts of the town, while another incident at a garage resulted in two vehicles being gutted.
The government is assessing the extent of the damage and coordinating with the affected traders to determine the measures required to restore the damaged areas. The Urban Development Department is working with the concerned authorities to ensure that the situation is handled systematically.
The government has also assured assistance to those affected by the market fire, with the focus on addressing traders’ concerns and helping restore normalcy in the town.
