Constant threat of fire in South Mumbai's gold-working neighbourhoods

After Kalbadevi's Gokul Niwas building went up in flames on Saturday, the residents of nearby Zaveri Bazaar, Bhuleshwar and Vithalwadi areas in South Mumbai are living in fear of fire. The residential buildings in these areas house at least 8000 goldsmith's workshops which are fire hazards, being equipped with concentrated acids, gas cylinders and furnaces used for making gold jewellery.

"Fortunately, Gokul Niwas was located on the main road and there were only two workshops in the building. But in Vithalwadi and Tel Galli we have narrow and congested lanes, which leaves no room for people to rush outside if there is a fire. Also, the buildings are close to each other. Each building has at least 25 to 30 workshops, and each workshop has at least 30 skilled workers," said local resident Vijay Shah, who is with the Bhuleshwar Residents Welfare Association.

Shah added that these skilled workers, who are popularly known as 'babus', are stuffed in small rooms measuring 100 to 125 sq ft. Moreover, the workshops are equipped with as many as three doors with digital locks restricting the entry of the workers, because of safety reasons.

On Thursday, Shah tried to bring the situation to the notice of Ajoy Mehta, municipal commissioner. But the civic chief could not spare time for him.

On a visit to the Tel Galli area near Vithalwadi, it is hard to miss the chimneys protruding from the buildings. "There are at least 350 chimneys only in Tel Galli. If one visits these buildings, it will be found that residents are living here under constant fear, as the gold workshops are potential tinder boxes.

A number of residential units are changing into commercial ones, and that too, gold jewellery workshops. These workshops are a potential risk to us and we have been contacting all the authorities – MHADA, BMC and the police. But no one has heard our pleas," said Harkishan Goradia, a resident of Zaver Baug building in Tel Galli.

Ramesh Shah, joint secretary of Bhuleshwar Residents Welfare Association, said that in 2000, the association had filed a case asking the High Court to get the illegal goldsmith workshops in their area moved away, because they posed a danger to local residents. The case is still pending. "Nobody is listening to us. Neither the local political representatives nor the BMC have addressed the issue. In fact, politicians in the area seem to be hand-in-glove with these workshop owners. They ensure that civic authorities and police don't act against the workshops. We have nowhere to go," said Shah.

A year after the case was filed, there was a fire at Adukia building in nearby Fofalwadi, which killed over 15 workers. Some of those who died were child labourers. Besides posing a fire hazard, these unauthorised gold workshops emit pollutant gases.

Amin Patel, MLA representing Mumbadevi area, which houses many such workshops, said that BMC is to blame for the existence of the workshops. He said, "BMC is not doing its job properly. It is evident that civic administration has lent a supporting hand to these workshop owners, as they are thriving for many years. No action has been taken against any of them. Officials of local wards know what is happening in each building under their jurisdiction. Why are they not taking action? Why are they playing with people's lives?" questioned Patel.

Pratap Rahangdale, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade, said, "We will conduct audit of such buildings. When we get individual complaints, we forward them to the ward office with our remarks. The ward officer is supposed to take action against such buildings."