The Department of Urban Affairs has proposed the setting up of a council to evolve a long-term action plan to develop the Chala market here.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali on Tuesday to evolve a plan of action to develop Chala market in the wake of the recent fire accident.
Mr. Ali informed the meeting that formation of the council would be decided after consulting the Chief Minister. The council would formulate a plan to ease traffic congestion and improve drainage and parking at Chala, a release said here on Tuesday.
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The meeting discussed ways to equip shop owners to immediately respond to a fire outbreak. Shop owners would be persuaded to install fire extinguishers and a fire audit would be conducted at Chala. The government would assist shop owners to secure insurance cover. The parking problem at Chala would be solved by constructing a parking lot at Erumakuzhi or Putharikandam. The city Corporation or the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority could take up the work. Steps would be taken to establish closed-circuit television cameras at Chala and it would be linked to the police control room. The Police and the Fire and Rescue Services Department would form a special team to respond to calamities at Chala.