With numerous high-rise buildings coming up in Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad, the woefully under-staffed and under-resourced fire stations in the two districts are struggling to face the new challenges.
Noida, which comes under Gautam Budh Nagar district and is governed by the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority — one of the richest development authorities in India, has nine fire stations that are manned by just 100 personnel — against a sanctioned strength of 400.
In total, the stations have 30 tenders and three hydraulic platforms for the entire district, which has a total area of 1,338 square km and a population of 17 lakh.
Two of the platforms can reach a height of 30 metres while the third has a maximum height of 42 metres.
The district’s fire department has sent a proposal for two more platforms of 32 and 42 metres. A 42-meter hydraulic platform can reach the 14th floor of an average high-rise.
A city of high-rises
Building having more than four floors, or 15 metres in height, are considered a high-rise. According to the Noida Authority, there are nearly 1,000 high-rises in Noida. The Supertech Supernova Spira, coming up in Sector 94, will have 80 floors and reach a height of 300 metres.
- •Gautam Budh Nagar district is spread over 1,338 square km and has a population of 17 lakh
- •The district has just 100 firemen against sanctioned strength of 400
- •It has nine fire stations with 30 fire tenders and just three hydraulic platforms
- •Noida alone has over 1,000 high-rise buildings
- •Ghaziabad has a dozen industrial areas but just four fire stations and no hydraulic platform
- •They have just 70% of sanctioned personnel strength
The department has also sought two hydraulic platforms of 72 and 92 metres in addition to a helicopter.
Noida Authority officials said that since no hydraulic platform can reach higher than 110 metres, the National Building Code and fire safety norms are strictly enforced.
The Noida and Greater Noida development authorities as well as officials of the U.P Fire Department claim that they randomly inspect high-rises to check fire safety standards. If any shortcoming is found, then there is a provision to penalise.
“For a long time we have been demanding additional firemen, hydraulic machines and one helicopter for the twin cities [Noida and Greater Noida], which have numerous high-rises,” said a Gautam Budh Nagar senior fire officer, requesting anonymity.
“There is a need for more hydraulic platforms. A proposal has been sent to the State government. The funds can be issued by the State government or the Noida Authority, or by both,” said S. K. Yadav, Gautam Budh Nagar fire officer.
The fire-fighting facilities in Ghaziabad are in worse shape. The district, which has a dozen industrial areas and several high-rises, has just four fire stations and no hydraulic platform.
No hydraulic platforms
Ghaziabad chief fire officer A. N. Sharma said that the district has one fire station each in Shahibabad, Vaishali, Modi Nagar and Ghaziabad city. “We have no hydraulic platform and have just 70% of sanction personnel strength,” said Mr. Sharma, adding that requests have been issued to improve facilities and increase manpower.
