Pune, India – The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), covering the district excluding Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations, is facing a critical shortage of fire stations, with only three operational centers catering to a population of 72 lakh. This glaring inadequacy has been attributed to longstanding challenges such as insufficient staffing, a dearth of vehicles, and administrative instability within the authority, raising serious concerns about emergency response capabilities.
The rapidly growing urbanization, particularly in areas adjoining Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, has exacerbated the demand for firefighting services. Despite significant revenue contributions through various tax channels, the provision of fire safety remains alarmingly deficient, with just three operational fire stations serving the entire expanse of PMRDA.
The proliferation of residential complexes, commercial establishments, hotels, factories, malls, and industrial units emphasizes the urgent need for robust fire protection infrastructure. The absence of fire stations in rural areas compounds the vulnerability, leaving communities exposed to the perils of field fires, accidents, and water-related emergencies.
Amidst escalating urbanization, the existing fire stations are struggling to meet the expanding boundaries and dwindling effectiveness, leading to a growing reliance on MIDC or Municipal Fire Stations for support. Private company fire trucks are also summoned in emergencies, underscoring the urgent necessity to bolster the number of fire stations across the region.
Efforts are underway to address this issue, with the district administration and the Collector’s Office initiating correspondence. Approval has been granted for the setup of fire stations at 30 locations, providing a ray of hope for improved emergency response capabilities.
In response to the burgeoning population and increasing responsibilities in rural areas, plans are in motion to establish a dedicated fire station in Mulshi taluka, with four additional stations planned in Daund, Maval, Khed, and Purandar. However, bureaucratic hurdles have hindered the establishment of these much-needed centers.
Acknowledging the need for additional manpower, plans to bolster the workforce within the fire department are in motion, with proposals from societies to operate these centers under consideration. Despite these challenges, Chief Fire Officer Devendra Potfode assures that equipped centers will soon be operational, with positive discussions and follow-up activities in progress.
