The massive fire at Shiv Shakti Textile Market on Surat’s Ring Road has sparked controversy regarding the agency responsible for issuing the Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). As per reports, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) conducted an investigation into the matter, summoning the agency’s representative to present all necessary documents before the Chief Fire Officer (CFO). After thorough scrutiny of the submitted evidence, the agency was given a clean chit.
The agency, represented by Nikunj Padasala, was asked to provide all relevant documents supporting the issuance of the fire NOC. Initially, only the NOC certificate was presented, prompting the CFO to demand additional proof. Following further review, the agency provided evidence including records of mock drills, inspections, and training sessions. After verifying these documents, the municipal authorities confirmed the validity of the fire NOC renewal process. However, the larger question remains—if the NOC renewal was conducted properly, why did the fire department face significant challenges in controlling the blaze?
The fire at Shiv Shakti Textile Market has become a major topic of discussion, not only in Surat but across Gujarat. Surat’s fire response system is considered the best in the state, yet it struggled to contain the flames. Firefighters had to call for reinforcements from Hazira’s industrial units and other locations to tackle the situation.
The incident has also raised concerns about why municipal fire trucks could not access the site effectively and how the fire escalated so rapidly despite the reported compliance with safety protocols. The damage caused by the fire has left traders in distress, with many taking to the streets in protest. The estimated losses run into crores of rupees, and questions are now being raised about the structural stability of the market building.
In response to the situation, Surat’s Chief Fire Officer Basant Parikh has directed all Divisional Fire Officers (DFOs) to conduct cross-verification of fire NOC renewals issued to markets across the city. The incident has intensified scrutiny over fire safety regulations and the effectiveness of compliance measures, with traders and officials alike seeking accountability for the devastating losses.
