TMC Announces Rs 10 Lakh Aid for Families of Staff Killed in Thane Market Fire

The civic body also announced that eligible family members of the deceased employees would be offered jobs on compassionate grounds in accordance with government regulations.

Hours after the massive fire broke out in Gaondevi vegetable market, which took lives of two civic employees, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) announced financial aid of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the victims. Additionally, Rs 1 lakh each will be given to the two injured personnel.

The civic body also announced that eligible family members of the deceased employees would be offered jobs on compassionate grounds in accordance with government regulations.

The decision was made during an emergency meeting held on the instructions of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The meeting was attended by Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar, Member of Parliament Naresh Mhaske, and Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, among other officials.

During the meeting, Leader of the House Hanmant Jagtap suggested installing firefighting systems at the market before vendors are rehabilitated and proposed stationing two fire brigade vehicles at Dadoji Konddev Stadium for quicker emergency response. The commissioner said a decision on the proposal would be taken within two to three days.

Deputy CM Shinde reviewed the situation with civic chief Rao and directed officials to send proposals seeking aid for the victims’ families from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and the state emergency response department.

According to TMC, all 155 stall holders affected by the fire will be rehabilitated at the same location by June 1. Cleanup operations are presently in progress, after which the structure will undergo detailed structural and fire safety audits.

Moreover, the civic body said repair work, including painting and electrical restoration, will be completed before vendors are shifted back to the premises. Discussions were also held regarding compensation for losses suffered by traders in the fire.

Officials said measures would be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, including strengthening fire safety infrastructure and increasing insurance coverage for emergency and fire department personnel.

For the unversed, the incident took place around 3:30 am on Thursday, May 21, claiming the lives of 55-year-old security guard Kalu Shankar Gadekar and 42-year-old fire brigade station officer Sagar Suryakant Shinde.

Two others, Sujit Pashte (45) and Sameer Jadhav (40), sustained injuries in the incident and are currently undergoing treatment at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital. Officials said their condition remains stable.