After the tragic Swarna Palace fire mishap in Vijayawada, the State government has appointed task forces and committees to check the electrical systems at all the COVID centres in the State. The committee appointed to find the causes of the fire mishap was asked to submit its report in two days. Similarly, the Visakhapatnam District Administration had appointed 26 task forces for gauging the safety measures taken up by COVID, area and district hospitals in the region. Comprising of officials from the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation and fire department, the committees are also expected to make comprehensive recommendations on preventive measures to be taken to avoid reoccurrence of such fire accidents. They have submitted their reports to the District Collector.
Meanwhile, people in Vizag were shocked on Monday with reports of fire accident at a quarantine centre located in Sri Chaitanya College, Yendada. Reports suggest that the computer lab turned into ashes in the accident which was caused due to short circuit. Following this, 64 patients undergoing treatment at Valmiki Block of the college had to be shifted to Bhagiratha block for safety. Officials heaved a sigh of relief with no loss of life reported in the fire accident, but it has given rise to apprehensions on the workings of the committees. “What are the recommendations given by the committee after visiting the above centre? Did they find any shortcomings at the centre? Did the college management comply with the recommendations made by committee? I really doubt it,” said Suresh Puvvada, a local resident.
Following these developments, residents of Vizag city and elsewhere in the State are expressing doubts over the appointment of such committees. Similar doubts are also being expressed about the committee being constituted by District Collector V Vinay Chand to oversee commencement of operations in industries in the post-COVID lockdown scenario. The objective is to ensure that factories put safety systems in place and prevent reoccurrence of accidents like the one that happened at LG Polymers.
The scathing remarks of the State High Court over the Government’s failure which led to the fire mishap at Swarna Place in Vijayawada is evidence that more work needs to be done by officials to avoid such accidents in the future. “It looks like the government goes all out when the accidents are caused on premises owned by private individuals, but remain mute spectator when it comes to taking action against erring officials responsible,” added Suresh Puvvada.