Fire stations yet to brace for Delhi-like mishap

Hyderabad: Inadequate fire stations and non-availability of space in densely populated areas continues to expose the preparedness of the fire services in the vulnerable areas of the twin cities. The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department is yet to upgrade its fleet and the fire stations, which according to norms should remain available in each constituency, in case of emergency.

In a metropolis like Hyderabad which has population of more than a crore, if norms are applied there must be a fire station for each of the 3 lakh population. But department remains helpless as it is not able to find adequate space.

Fire tender's challenge

In some of the areas, nearby fire station is located several kilometers away and it does not hold any specific area jurisdiction. For instance, the Moghalpura fire station, near Charminar, has to negotiate choking roads and address emergencies in places like Hafeez Baba Nagar, Chandrayangutta, Bandlaguda and surrounding areas, which are nearly 8 km and places like Pahadishareef, which is nearly 14 km away, said an official.

However, the officials held that the department was trying their best to open a fire station at least one in each constituency. There are currently 13 fire stations, which are running across the city. "The officials have given a proposal for fire station in Yakutpura, Amberpet, Jubilee Hills and Chandraynagutta areas", said District fire officer M Srinivas Reddy.

Yet to find appropriate place

Speaking to The Hans India Srinivas Reddy said that now there are total 13 fire stations in city and a proposal for four more stations has been given to the government. The existing stations are located in Gowliguda, Moghalpura, Chandulal Baradari, Malakpet, Maula Ali, Musheerabad, Punjagutta, Langar Houz, Sanath Nagar, Secunderabad, Snorkel, Cantonment. Besides this, the fire engines are also kept in High Court, Salar Jung Museum, TS Assembly, Secretariat, in case of emergency. Out of 13 fire stations, 3 stations - Chandulal Baradari, Langar Houz and Maula Ali - are running in a rented space.

The department is yet to find suitable lands in Yakutpura, Amberpet, Jubilee Hills and Chandrayangutta which are under proposal, he added. He said that the department was trying their best to fill up the gaps but they finding it difficult for searching space. For an ideal fire station 2000 sq yards land is needed. But owing to the space constraints at least 500 sq yard land was made mandatory.

The fire station must have an enough water supply, a borewell or a water source in the area. It should have single pump or a double pump and should have one or a two units each unit consists of 15 members). The fire station consists of one or two fire engines and 2 bullet bikes, he explained.

Over three complaints daily on an average

Srinivas Reddy said that around 100 complaints were received in last 2 months and yearly 1,000 to 1,300 complaints are registered. While during summer more than 200 complaints are registered.

According to officials, when compared to other states Hyderabad has less fire accidents. The department also conducts awareness programme in hospital, college, schools, petrol pump, malls, markets, apartment etc. on every Friday.

During this awareness programme the officer along with the safety equipment explain to the locals about safety precautions and how to save own life and to control the fire if any incident occurred, and also requests the public to Dial 101 and 100 in case of fire incident.