SUNDAY FOR MONDAY. PICS MAILED.Lucknow: In the wake of the recent Aliganj fire that claimed 15 lives, a TOI reality check across key city markets found glaring fire safety lapses in most commercial hubs.Patrakarpuram, Bhootnath, Gadbad Jhala and Mohan market in Aminabad, Sarafa market in Chowk and Nazirabad market were found lacking basic fire safety infrastructure.Essential systems such as fire extinguishers, alarms, water pipelines, storage tanks and sprinklers were missing in several densely packed markets.Encroachments, narrow lanes and haphazard parking have left little room for fire tenders and ambulances to manoeuvre during emergencies. The risk is compounded by exposed and tangled electrical wiring, increasing the likelihood of short circuits.“At Patrakarpuram market, the biggest concern is basement shops operating with open wiring and no fire safety equipment,” said customer Priya Saxena.Shop owner Amit Tiwari said traders function under constant fear as neither inspections have been conducted nor fire safety systems installed.“At Bhootnath market, narrow internal lanes and rampant encroachments severely restrict movement, making emergency access difficult,” said shopkeeper Rajesh Gupta.Customer Aniket Mahajan said congestion in basement shops leaves little room for evacuation, raising the risk of panic and stampedes during an emergency.“At Gadbad Jhala market, illegal parking at entry points blocks the movement of ambulances and fire tenders,” said shopkeeper Imran Sheikh.The risks were underscored on Friday when a fire broke out in an air conditioner unit inside a locked shop at Singar Mahal in Aminabad’s Gadbadjhala. Firefighters broke open the shutter and doused the flames before they spread. As the incident occurred in the morning, no one was injured, officials said.Mohan market, meanwhile, houses densely packed textile and general stores, heightening fire risks.“Repeated representations have been made to the nagar nigam for fire safety measures, but no action has been taken so far,” said Mohan Market Traders Association president, Anurag Grover.At Chowk’s sarafa market, jewellery shop owner Avni Kesarwani pointed to the use of furnaces alongside open wiring in cramped shops. “There is virtually no fire safety equipment here,” she said.Nazirabad market, packed with garment and retail outlets and offering little open space, would be particularly difficult to evacuate and manage during a fire.“There is not even a basic arrangement for water supply or fire control,” said shopkeeper Arif Khan.“Most fire incidents are caused by short circuits. The existing hydrant network is outdated and needs a complete overhaul. Dedicated borewells for firefighting should be installed. At present, traders arrange fire safety equipment at their own expense,” said Pawan Manocha, general secretary of Lucknow Vyapaar Mandal.
