PIMPRI: Eighteen modern machines are going to be inducted in the fleet of vehicles of PCMC’s Fire Department. It will involve an expenditure of ₹113 crore and apart from the fire tender, vehicles like rescue van and water tender will be a part of the fleet.
The population of the city is 30 lakh and it is spread over 181 sq km. Tall buildings are being built everywhere. Hence, densely populated areas have increased. On the other hand, incidents of fire are increasing in residential and industrial areas. Because of the limited number of fire brigade centres, inadequate manpower and lack of modern fire tenders and vehicles, there are limitations while dousing the fire.
The government has removed the ceiling on the height of the buildings in the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations, 2020. Hence, buildings having more than 40 stories will be built. If fire breaks out in such buildings, the fire brigade needs modern fire tenders and vehicles.
In some areas, there is waterlogging due to monsoon and hence, boats and other vehicles are required to deal with flood-like situations. For these reasons, vehicles are being purchased and the tender process has been completed. Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh said the General Body of the PCMC had given its sanction for the ₹133 crore expenditure proposal.
City needs 10 more fire brigade centres
The fire brigade department is in the emergency services category. The fire brigade prevents loss of life and property. There are many industries and IT companies in the suburbs. As per the rules, considering the population, the city needs 18 fire brigade centres. However, at present, the PCMC has only eight fire brigade centres. Hence, 10 more centres are needed.
Type of vehicles Number cost
Fire tender 6 ₹20.70 lakh
Water tender 3 ₹16.19 crore
Advanced rescue van 2 ₹10.59 crore
70 metre TTL 1 ₹29.14 crore
32 metre TTL 1 ₹21.65 crore
54 metre TTL 1 ₹25.48 crore
Flood rescue van 1 ₹1.84 crore
BA Centre Van 1 ₹2.77 crore
DCP Tender 1 ₹1.23 crore
Water foam tender 1 ₹2.97 crore
