Surat (Gujarat) [India], March 21: In response to the devastating fire incidents in Surat’s textile markets, The Man-Made Textiles Research Association (MANTRA) organised an Electrical Safety Awareness Seminar on March 13. The seminar aimed to educate traders and authorities on the importance of electrical safety and the need for regular audits to prevent such tragedies.

The seminar follows the fire accidents at Shivshakti Textile Market, where two major blazes occurred within 24 hours last month, causing damages worth crores of rupees and resulting in the loss of one life. The incidents have raised serious concerns regarding electrical safety standards in Surat’s textile markets.

Speaking at the seminar, MANTRA President Rajnikant Bachkaniwala emphasised the crucial role of electrical audits in preventing fires.

“MANTRA has been conducting electrical safety audits for years, providing reports to major industries and units in Hazira. However, it is unfortunate that despite our presence, textile traders have not come forward for electrical safety audits. Many traders fear the additional cost, but if an entire market participates, an audit can be conducted for just Rs. 6,500 per shop,” he said.

He stressed the importance of preventive measures, highlighting that most fire incidents occur due to short circuits, overloading, faulty wiring, and overheating.

“Fires do not ignite on their own and can be prevented. In Shivshakti Market, an overloaded circuit in one shop led to a blaze that engulfed the entire market. Given that textile markets store highly flammable materials, traders must prioritise electrical safety and conduct regular audits to mitigate such risks,” he added.

FOSTTA (Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association) President Kailash Hakim also addressed the gathering and expressed concerns over the outdated electrical infrastructure in the city’s textile hubs.

“Most textile markets on Ring Road are over 30 years old, with wiring systems that are no longer adequate for today’s electricity load. Traders must take proactive steps and engage MANTRA engineers for electrical audits to prevent future disasters,” he said.

He also called for stricter regulations on new electrical connections saying power distribution companies like DGVCL and Torrent Power should mandate an electrical safety audit report before issuing new connections. He said this would ensure that markets meet necessary safety standards and help prevent fire outbreaks.