Faridabad firefighting infra inadequate

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, November 22

Despite being accorded the status of a metropolitan city, Faridabad has failed to get a sound firefighting infrastructure. Poor and inadequate arrangements pose risk to life and property during fire incidents, it is claimed.

Revealing that the firefighting infrastructure in this industrial hub, having a population of over 26 lakh is woefully short, sources in the local administration said the department concerned had only 28 firemen against the sanctioned posts of 143. Having a total of four fire stations in the city, it had only 10 fire tenders, of which only six were reported to be functional. While four tenders are lying unused, one of these is awaiting insurance coverage to be functional, it is reported. “Given the norms, the city needs at least 50 fire tenders as one tender is must for a population of 50,000 ,” said a retired official on condition of anonymity, who added that trained staff of about 300 trained personnel was also needed to handle the infrastructure.

“Though the city has many high-rise buildings, non-availability of hydraulic platform is a cause for concern,” says Ajay Bahl, a social activist, who claimed that life and property of a large number of residents was at risk, as the present system was inadequate and ill-equipped.

Claiming that a recent fire incident in a high-rise residential society at Sector 70 exposed the chinks, Narveer Yadav, a resident, said the available fire tenders were unable to douse the fire in flats located on 17th and 18th floor, as their capacity was only upto 18 metres above the ground. He said for a high-rise building, hydraulic platforms with the height of upto 80 metres was required as a majority of the buildings had 10 or more floors.

The city which has been upgraded as a metropolitan city with the formation of the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) has also been undergoing Smart city projects worth Rs 3,000 crore. “ We have already placed a demand for at least two hydraulic platforms of the height of 55 and 70 metres,’’ said a senior official of the Municipal Corporation. 

28 firemen against sanctioned posts of 143

• The department concerned has only 28 firemen against the sanctioned posts of 143
• Having a total of four fire stations in the city, it had only 10 fire tenders, of which only six are reported to be functional
• While four tenders are lying unused, one of these is awaiting insurance coverage to be functional

50 fire tenders needed

Given the norms, the city needs at least 50 fire tenders as one tender is must for a population of 50,000. Retired official

Need for Hydraulic platform

Though the city has many high-rise buildings, non-availability of hydraulic platform is a cause for concern. Ajay Bahl, a social activist

Placed demand for two

We have already placed the demand for at least two hydraulic platforms of the height of 55 and 70 metres. Senior official of the MC