Slum dwellers' return sparks fear of another fire

Lucknow: Sound of even a firecracker makes Rishi sit up at night and he is still not able to sleep at night without fear. As slum-dwellers return to the site of 250 huts that were reduced to ashes at Baalu Adda on Ashok marg, residents of the posh areas in the vicinity are scared another fire might break out and engulf their homes too.
"Every time I hear a boom, even if it is the sound of a cracker, I fear it is a cylinder blast similar to the one that took place in the slum," said Rishi Khanna, who resides near the Bahukhandi apartments.
There are many large slum colonies in different parts of the cityinhabited by Asamese immigrants. Since March, four fire incidents have taken place in areas where the slum settlement is located within a residential colony. Residents say while the slumdwellers should not be displaced on humanitarian grounds, the authorities should make adequate fire safety measures at these slums.
n Jankipuram: Slum colonies of more than 600 huts are surrounded by more than 150 families living in permanent houses in Jankipuram Sector-2 and Sachivalaya colony. "Every time slum-dwellers plug in power illegally (katiya), we face a power cut so administration must ensure there are fire tenders and ambulances on standby," complained Aryan Khanna, who resides opposite the slum in Jankipuram. "Slum-dwellers here cook their food on small cylinders which are most harmful and also pose threats to us," said Deepak Tandon, resident of sector-2 Jankipuram.
n Mehtab Bagh Chowk: In Mehtab Bagh colony, there are more than 6,000 slumdwellers and threat of a conflagration looms large. A resident of Mehtab Bagh colony part II, Ayaan shudders to think of the fire in Baalu Adda for its likelihood in the slum in his neighbourhood. "I fear for the safety of our localities in case fire spreads from the slums. I have been living in an apartment for five years but now it feels unsafe," said Ayaan.
Another resident of Mahtab Bagh colony in Chowk, Raj said, "Slum near Mahatab Bagh colony has existed for over 10 years and they are mostly Assamese migrants. I don't know why administration is not doing anything to check the imminent emergency. At least a fire tender should be placed here permanently."
n Near Tedhi Pulia: Over 10,000 people live around the slum colony near Tedhi Pulia, near Jankipuram. "Government negligence resulted in a massive fire a few weeks back," said Anuj, a resident of the area near the slum. Those living in the slum are mostly rag-pickers. They cook food on small cylinders which poses threat of a fire accident. "Fire department must arrange permanent fire tender here," demanded Mohammad Shakeel, another resident of Tedhi Pulia. More than 500 huts have existed here for over 15 years.
n New Hyderabad: Balaji Apartment resident Athar said, "We fear for our family. When fire starts spreading with wind, it engulfs more things in nearby area. We have planned fire fighting but it is only for our building." Another resident of New Hyderabad, Ram Singh said government must give proper shelter to slum dwellers. Info Gfx
FIERY TRAIL
May 3: Over 30 huts gutted by massive inferno posing threat to 2,500 lives in Ujariaon area of Gomtinagar.
April 30: Fire at Tilak Marg gutted 50 huts and a school and threatened lives of around 2,000 residents of multi-storey apartments and houses in adjoining area
March 27: Fire gutted the vegetable market of Patrakarpuram in Gomtinagar
March 26: More than 40 families were stranded after flames engulfed a slum located in Ujariaon area of Gomtinagar
February 29: One person dies and more than 122 huts gutted by fire in Alambagh