Safety hangs by a thread at buzzing electrical market

PUNE: When a disaster plays out, the escape route is foremost on the minds of the trapped. But when exits are few and narrow, the odds are stacked against them. This could be the story of Tapkir Galli in Budhwar Peth.

Haphazardly parked vehicles in front of shops flanking both sides of the road, illegal makeshift electronics repair shops lining the street, overhead wires hanging dangerously are some sights at the city’s largest electrical and electronics market in this galli. The market started at Tapkir Galli before the 1950s and has now spread to the adjoining narrow lanes as well.

With all possible electrical and electronic products available in the area, thousands flock to the market each day. The narrow lanes are dotted with an assortment of problems. So much so that Tapkir Galli is in a better shape than the other lanes which house rows and rows of shops.

The residences at some of the first floors of the wadas in the area have been converted into small shops and store rooms. The basement parking of some buildings have several shops. Traders from the area remained tight-lipped about the legality of changing land use to commercial stating that all the shops in the area have been running for years.

Owner of a lone garment store in the market said, “I started my shop in the 1980s and there were no electrical stores in this part of Budhwar Peth then. These stores were mainly at Tapkir Galli. It’s only over the last few years that the entire area has turned into an electrical market.”

About the makeshift electronics repair stores operating from handcarts in the area, the shopkeeper said only two or three are legal.

President of Pune Electrical Association (Tapkir Galli), Suresh Jethwani said, “Traffic is among the biggest problems in this area as is haphazard parking. We have repeatedly approached the Faraskhana police station to ease the situation by introducing P1 and P2 norms for parking, painting road markings and others. They must support us in decongesting the area.”

Jethwani said they have had one fire incident in the market after which they advised all the shops to keep fire extinguishers handy. However, very few stores have the equipment. “We have also told them to install CCTV cameras in and outside their stores, but that too has not happened. We are now associating with the Ganapati mandals in the area to install CCTV cameras,” he added.

He said the many tempos parked in the area have become a nuisance, further curtailing the already narrow lanes. “Hardly two or three traders own tempos. The rest belong to contractors who traders approach for deliveries. They must be evicted from here and made to park elsewhere so that there is enough room for movement on the roads. In case of a fire or any other accident, the movement of fire brigade or other rescue vehicles will be difficult due to such parking,” he said.

Redevelopment of the wadas from the area may be the only way to ensure wider roads. Jethwani added that there are no public toilets in the area, causing inconvenience to shops owners and customers. “We have urged the PMC to get land while we were ready to bear the cost of construction,” he added.

Officials from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company said connections in the area are legal. “Since they are commercial connections, the load of heavy electronics can be taken,” the officials stated.

Prashant Ranpise from the civic body’s fire department said, “Traders must themselves take precautions to avoid any untoward incidents. We know the area well and it is quite congested. Most buildings have just two storeys and installing fire safety systems will be unsustainable. However, we are in a position to handle any fire incidents in the area. While the fire brigades cannot go in, we can lay the hose to douse the fire.”