Thane Mayor Steps Up After Market Fire Tragedy

Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpolkar leads the efforts to restore Gavdevi vegetable market after a devastating fire. Restoration is delayed, with debris clearance underway. Ex-gratia assistance is provided to affected families while allegations surface over safety lapses due to unauthorized stalls.

Full restoration of the fire-ravaged Gavdevi vegetable market here will not be complete before the initial deadline of June 1, an official indicated on Tuesday.

A fire station officer and a security guard died and three firefighters were injured as a major gutted the market last Thursday.

Accompanied by top civic officials and Leader of the house Hanumant Jagdale, Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpolkar visited the site during the day.

''Debris removal and clearing of charred materials are underway at full capacity, with around 50 workers deployed. Actual renovation will begin post-cleanup, but given the massive technical work, restoring the stalls in good condition will take more time,'' Deputy Municipal Commissioner Madhukar Bodke told PTI.

During her visit, the Mayor handed over ex-gratia financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of deceased fire station officer Sagar Shinde and security guard Kalu Gadekar, besides Rs 1 lakh each to the three injured fire personnel.

Meanwhile, BJP corporator Sitaram Rane alleged that the unauthorized garment stalls with highly inflammable material operating on the vegetable market premises were ignored, leading to the tragedy.