E-Paper
Disaster waiting to happen in Noida, Gurgao
Noida and Greater Noida are sitting on a powder keg. The Gautam Budh Nagar district comprising the twin cities has only four fire stations. The National Institute of Disaster Management says 10 fire stations are needed.
Noida and Greater Noida are sitting on a powder keg. The Gautam Budh Nagar district comprising the twin cities has only four fire stations. The National Institute of Disaster Management says 10 fire stations are needed.
During the national fire safety week in April, the fire department issued showcause notices to more than 70 multi-storey buildings for violating norms.
Following the fire tragedy at AMRI Hospital in Kolkata last year, the health department issued notices to 70 hospitals to shut down OPDs functioning from basements. However, things went back to square one.
In areas such as Raghunathpur, Atta, Chhalera, Haraula, Nithari and Khora among others, fire tenders are not able to reach inner areas due to narrow lanes.
Gurgaon at risk
At present, the fire department has three fire stations and one sub-station with a total of 23 fire tenders.
The department is equipped with two hydraulic platforms having 42 metre ladders with which firefighters can douse flames up to 75 metres.
“The number of firefighters in the city is 115, while we need 200. As per the new fire policy, there should be eight men with each vehicle,” said a senior official. Officials say, one fire station is needed every five km.
