People who work in the shipping industry, merchant navy and even in garages, factories and in construction business will be familiar with today’s market. For these are the people who regularly need to use safety equipment on the job.
Truth be told, I was actually surprised when I first heard about the safety equipment market which is located just behind the General Post Office (GPO), a 10 minutes’ walk from CST station. But I quickly understood how something that primarily caters to the shipping industry had to be located in close proximity to the port.
In addition to the shipping companies, local construction firms and even garages stock up on suits and other safety equipment from this market
Indeed, for the past 160 years, this market has been known for offering boiler safety suits, helmets, safety shoes and even navy and customs officers’ caps, badges, vehicle flags and stickers.
With most shipping firms sourcing their own material from abroad now, this place has become a mere shadow of its formal self. Still, about 25 shops are still operating successfully, handling all orders from loyal customers.
This is the only market in the city where you can get all kinds of safety equipment at a cheaper rate. Interestingly enough, despite the huge demand for these safety attire, shoes and helmets, there is no any specific brand available. Locally-made equipment is promoted the most.
Every shop even has its own tailor to alter the safety suits according to the given size. The boiler safety suits come in a myriad colours, with the fluorescent ones being the most popular.
These shops not only cater to the bulk orders received from cargo liners and local industry but also to smaller and even single-piece orders which auto-mechanics love to take advantage of.
The boiler suits range from Rs 180 to Rs 350, depending upon the quality. Safety helmets cost Rs 50 to Rs 100. The all-important safety shoes come for Rs 250 to Rs 850 while safety belts come for Rs 240 to Rs 650. Badges (Rs 40-90) are the fastest moving lot amongst the uniforms and other paraphernalia.
One shopkeeper who has spent over 20 years in this business recounted how there were hundreds of shops earlier. “But those golden days have long gone. Competition from foreign companies who have set up factories in India coupled with most merchant liners stocking up on these equipment in foreign ports itself have ensured that business is down,” he said, adding that lack of globally recognised brands in Mumbai encourages the shipping industry to take this step.
But the shopkeeper added that the local infrastructure and construction industry along with some shipping companies have kept sales going, providing around Rs 3-4 lakhs in annual profits for each store here.
-----------Mumbai Mirror-------------