State decides not to revive city’s 10,000 fire hydrants

The city’s ubiquitous red fire hydrants, that were a fireman’s best friend, will soon be history. Just 2,267 of the 10,157 hydrants are functional.

The city’s ubiquitous red fire hydrants, that were a fireman’s best friend, will soon be history. Just 2,267 of the 10,157 hydrants are functional.

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Minister of state for urban development Bhaskar Jadhav said, “We do not plan to revive them. These hydrants require maintenance and 24x7 water supply, which is not available.”

He said there was a fire hydrant at every 150 metres to give the fire brigade easy access to water in case of a fire. But, the water shortage started making it difficult for the fire brigade to function, Jadhav said.

The decision not to revive them could, however, be a problem. The city has innumerable narrow lanes that fire engines cannot pass through.

“We are looking for alternative systems. Currently the fire brigades are provided with 24-hour water supply at 14 pumping stations across the city. The fire brigade fills tankers at these stations and takes them to the spot of the fire,” Jadhav said.

Jadhav also points out that lack of maintenance has led to the fire hydrants becoming defunct.