Srinagar, Jan 31: A day after the devastating fire at Gada Kocha that consumed at least 10 shops and some residential houses in the congested Shahr-e-Khaas area, the locals including traders fear that the old dilapidated buildings in the neighbourhood may collapse anytime.
 The residents said the fire flames coupled with water used to douse it had badly affected the condition of the old and uninhabited houses there.
 They said some half a dozen houses including a migrant property could collapse anytime.
 “The water has furthered the decay of the dilapidated buildings and the way cracks have widened, we fear the lot will collapse anytime,” said President, Traders Federation Shahr-e-Kaas,  Nazir Ahmed Shah.
 Pointing towards the dilapidated buildings, he said there was every possible fear to life and property of the people.
 Pertinently, on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, fire broke out in the Gada Kocha area consuming the building structures including some prominent old shops which were into the business of provision especially marriage feast related items.
 Residents and the trader’s federation, however, appreciated the role of police and Fire and Emergency Department people saying their timely action prevented the spread of the fire.
 “Had the police and fire services failed to swing to action in time, the entire locality would been reduced to cinder,” the traders president said adding that the Superintendent of Police north City and the concerned SHO played a vital role in getting the fire doused.
 Meanwhile, a delegation of the Shahr-e-Khaas traders along with former deputy Mayor Sajad Ahmed Chashoo called on the Divisional Commissioner, Dr Asghar Hassan Samoon asking him to  look into the matter of the risky buildings at Gada Kocha.
 “He(Div Com) assured us that immediate measures will be taken to solve the problem,” the traders federation office bearers including Omar Gani, Aadil Kitab, Asif Zaroo told Greater Kashmir.
 Meanwhile, the locals have appealed the government to provide immediate relief to the fire victims including the affected shopkeepers.
 “Even though some of the damaged shops were coming under road widening, the government should provide the victims with immediate relief so that they could restart their work,” the Traders Federation Shahr-e-Kaas said.
 They also appealed government to develop of the old City as per the needs of the time.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST