By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: Independent legislator John Leslee K Sangma said that cracks in various portions of the Tura super market building is posing a serious concern on the safety of the traders who own shops and also the general public who frequently visit the market.

“I am not very sure if Tura market is safe considering the cracks in the building. I have also seen the cracks in the building,” Sangma said during Question Hour in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Informing that the wall partition in the Tura market also looks very weak, he said that the number of casualties would be on the higher side if the wall partition collapses taking account the number of traders who own shops and also the people who visit the market.

Sangma also inquired if the market is equipped with all the basic facilities to handle any emergency situation.

“As far as my knowledge goes, the fire extinguisher in the market is no longer functional,” the South Tura legislator said.

In reply, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that the Tura market building can safely pass through any test of time.

While ruling out that there is any crack in the building, Ampareen said that she had personally visited the market in August last year and she did not find any crack in the building.

“I have also not seen water gushing out of the building,” the Urban Affairs Minister said, adding, “the Tura market complex was designed and constructed in accordance with the provision of prevailing Indian Standard Institution Code on construction of RCC buildings and earthquake resistance design of structures.”

She, however, informed that there are three emergency exits in the building which would be useful during the occurrence of an earthquake even as claiming that there are fire extinguishers which would be handy if there is any kind of fire emergency.

While assuring that there would be no casualty if any

emergency situation arises, she also assured that she would again visit the market to address the various apprehensions on the safety of the building.

Replying to a supplementary question, Ampareen said that six home guards personnel are being deployed to look after the security of the Tura market.

On the installation of CCTVs as proposed by the South Tura legislator, she said that the Government would be examining the proposal of installing CCTVs at the market depending on the cost and also the availability of funds.

Meanwhile, she also informed that the escalator in the market complex was in operation till December 2001.

“The Tura Municipal Board decided to discontinue the operation due to the high running cost,” she added.