KoPT issues directives to lessee, licensee of godowns

Kolkata: In the wake of back to back fire incidents in less than a month's time at godowns leased out by Kolkata Port Trust, the KoPT has issued directives to its lessee and licensee making it clear that it will take strong action against those who do not abide by the directives.

"It has been found that some of them are using KoPT's land or godowns for storing materials that are combustible in nature without having proper fire safety measures and statutory permissions causing huge fire hazards. The lessee has to put proper fire safety measures in place.

"In case of any damage to the trustee's property due to lack of fire safety measures, it will be held responsible and have to bear all costs and consequences thereof," Chairman of KoPT Vinit Kumar said on Friday on the sidelines of a Annual Shipping Conclave organised by Bengal Chamber on Friday.

The KoPT has already put the directives for the lessees in its website and are also thinking of media campaign in this regard.

"We are forming a team of security officials and staff who will keep a track on whether the lessees are abiding by the directives issued by us.

"If there is violation, the offender will face action as per law," Kumar reiterated making to clear that they have taken a serious note of the fire incidents.

On October 11, a blaze at a metal powder godown at Transport Depot Road in Taratala in the city was controlled by firemen who battled for over eight hours.

A KoPT spokesperson had said that the site belongs to them but was occupied without authorisation.

On Tuesday, a devastating fire broke out at KoPT godown close to Armenian ferry Ghat and it took nearly 24 hours to completely extinguish the fire as it was packed with inflammable materials.

While the Fire department has lodged a complaint against the occupier and the users directing the police to identify them and take necessary steps in this connection.

The KoPT had also lodged a complaint with North Port Police Station (NPPS) against the "occupiers of the ware house" as they were using the godown for storing things of such inflammable nature for which they had no permission.