NMC Transfers 56 Fire Hydrants to Fire Department, 30 More in Pipeline

Nagpur: In a significant move to enhance firefighting efficiency, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to transfer the management of all 56 fire hydrants connected to overhead water reservoirs to the fire department. This step comes in response to the fire department's long-standing struggle to access adequate water sources, which hindered emergency response efforts.
Currently, Nagpur lacks an independent fire hydrant network, forcing firefighters to rely on limited, scattered hydrants or water tankers to refill fire tenders. The fire department had previously requested the water supply department to install 116 new hydrants across the city. However, despite multiple tender invitations, no contractors showed interest in the project, delaying its implementation indefinitely.
According to NMC records, the city has 56 hydrants spread across 14 overhead water tanks. Of these, five are currently non-functional but can be restored with minor repairs. Given the lack of alternative water sources for firefighting, the water supply department agreed to transfer all hydrants to the fire department, which will now oversee their operation, maintenance, and repairs.
In a parallel development, NMC's water works department started installing additional hydrants by interconnecting them with the city's water pipeline network. Officials confirmed that work on over 30 new hydrants is currently underway, which will further bolster the city's firefighting capabilities.
The move to transfer the existing hydrants is expected to improve response times during emergencies, particularly in congested areas where firefighters often struggle to find immediate water sources. Under the current system, fire tenders must either return to fire stations for refilling or rely on water tankers, causing delays that can be critical in large-scale fire incidents. By allowing direct access to hydrants at overhead tanks, the fire department can ensure quicker turnaround times and more effective firefighting operations.
Apart from hydrants, NMC relies on 59 tankers to supply water in areas without pipelines and an additional 24 tankers in regions where pipelines exist. However, the civic body is gradually expanding the pipeline network, which is expected to reduce dependency on water tankers over time.
Despite this progress, the number of hydrants remains grossly inadequate for a city the size of Nagpur. Fire officials have repeatedly stressed the need for additional hydrants to cover all major areas, especially industrial zones, crowded commercial hubs, and residential pockets prone to fire hazards.
While the hydrant handover and the ongoing installation of 30 new hydrants are steps in the right direction, fire officials warn that without a comprehensive expansion of the network, firefighting operations will continue to face challenges. The lack of nearby hydrants has often forced fire tenders to travel long distances for water, wasting precious time in emergencies.
NMC officials have acknowledged the issue and stated that efforts will continue to install more hydrants in critical locations. However, with past tendering failures, it remains uncertain when the city will see the much-needed expansion of its fire safety infrastructure. For now, the fire department is expected to take control of the existing hydrants and optimise their usage, offering some relief in improving emergency preparedness.
BOX
Fire Hydrants in Nagpur
Total hydrants: 56 (connected to overhead reservoirs)
Non-functional hydrants: 5 (can be restored with minor repairs)
New hydrants in progress: 30 (interconnected with pipeline network)
Hydrants proposed by fire dept: 116 (pending due to lack of contractor interest)
Challenges
No independent hydrant network: Firefighters rely on scattered hydrants or tankers
Delayed response: Fire tenders often travel long distances for refilling
Tendering issues: Multiple failed bids have delayed hydrant expansion
Expected Benefits
Faster response times: Direct access to hydrants at reservoirs
Better coverage: New hydrants linked to water pipelines
Reduced tanker dependency: Gradual expansion of pipeline network