Shaktisinh Gohil Demands Financial Aid for Surat Textile Traders After Devastating Fire

Surat : Surat’s textile traders are facing a financial catastrophe after a massive fire engulfed the Shivshakti Textile Market, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil has strongly demanded financial assistance for the affected traders, stating that the government must step in to support those who have lost everything.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, Gohil highlighted the severity of the disaster, emphasizing that nearly 900 traders had their shops in the market, and most of them were small-scale businessmen. “These traders had stocked up on goods due to the ongoing recession in the textile market. The fire has turned their stock into ashes, resulting in losses worth crores of rupees. Many of them either did not have insurance or were underinsured. In such circumstances, the government must stand by them,” Gohil asserted.

Citing expert recommendations, he pointed out that fire brigades should use special chemical-infused foamy water when tackling blazes involving synthetic fabrics. “Officials admitted that there was not enough chemical available to release foamy water, which is essential for quickly controlling such fires. Moreover, the fire brigade lacked the necessary lift-cranes to direct water flow upwards effectively. These shortcomings prove that we have learned nothing from past tragedies,” he added.

What makes the situation worse, he said, is the gross negligence of the authorities. “The fire initially broke out at around 1:30 PM. Firefighters worked tirelessly and assumed they had brought it under control by the evening. However, traders claim that smoldering embers were not properly handled. Due to carelessness, the fire reignited with strong flames, causing irreparable damage,” he added. Gohil labeled this as criminal negligence and demanded that the affected traders receive relief from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).

He also pointed out that Surat has witnessed repeated fire tragedies in textile markets due to inadequate fire safety infrastructure. “Time and again, we have seen the same failures. The 2014 Orchid Tower fire and the 2020 Raghuveer Textile Market fire should have been wake-up calls. However, the fire brigade in Surat continues to operate with insufficient equipment and manpower. We saw during the Taxila tragedy that the department didn’t even have ladders tall enough to reach the upper floors,” Gohil stated, questioning why Surat, an economic hub contributing crores in taxes, still lacks adequate fire preparedness.

Surat’s textile industry plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange and employment generation. Despite this, there has been no systemic overhaul of fire safety in textile hubs. “In developed countries, fire control planning prevents disasters from escalating. Why can’t we implement such measures here? There should be mandatory advance planning for areas with flammable fabrics,” Gohil urged.

Calling for urgent reforms, Gohil stressed that the government must take decisive steps to prevent such disasters in the future. “This is not just about one incident. If we want to build a developed India, we need to ensure that fire safety standards are implemented stringently. The textile traders of Surat must not be left to fend for themselves,” he concluded.