The Public Account Committee (PAC) report on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of fire fighting mechanism in urban local bodies has recommended stringent rules and regulations for giving permissions to skyscrapers as fire brigades still lack tools to reach to the topmost floor.
The PAC report that was submitted to the Assembly on the last day of the Budget session, said, “It is extremely dangerous to give permission to a skyscraper, until municipal corporations have the mechanism to reach to the topmost floor. It is important to set up capable fire fighting mechanism for skyscrapers.”
It pointed out that the existing machinery with the municipal corporations is inadequate.
They even lack tall ladders, those available can reach only up to seven to eight floors, the report said. In its recommendations to ensure quick response of the fire brigade amid narrow lanes, traffic and unauthorised parking, the report said, “The [Urban Development Department] should think over the reserving of space for fire stations in proportion to the construction of new buildings.”
It has also asked the department to submit a report within three months, regarding non-implementation of fire safety norms such as separate staircases, fire fighting system in the building.
8 civic bodies audited
The CAG report audited eight municipal corporations namely Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Nasik, Amaravati and Nagpur for 2010-2015. It has observed several lacunae in their fire fighting mechanism. It also observed that only 22% of the total capital outlay was spent on purchasing machinery, vehicles and other required tools.
The PAC report further slammed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation over non-functioning hydrants. “Mumbai has 10,470 hydrants since the pre-Independence era, out of which only 1,131 are working. Slum areas, the valve being buried under newly constructed roads, stealing of the valve, and unavailability of water are few of the reasons. Majority of the hydrants are being used to remove air or contaminated water, therefore they are of no use,” it said.
24x7 water availability
Water sources need to be keep filled 24 hours and hydrants must receive water continuously to be prepared in case of fire. “Mumbai has several wells which can be rejuvenated. It will be made mandatory for skyscrapers to reserve certain amount of water in case of fire,” it said.
The PAC report said that the Committee is sure these observations are true not only for the eight corporations but the entire State. “We expect the department to inform us within three months about the measures it has taken to improve the condition,” it said.