Following the devastating fire at Gaondevi market last week, which claimed the lives of a fire brigade station officer and a security guard while injuring three others, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Thane has demanded an urgent review of the city's firefighting preparedness. The review is sought for all public structures, including civic ward offices, hospitals, markets, and other facilities, ahead of the next general body meeting.
BJP Corporator Raises Concerns
BJP corporator Namrata Koli has raised serious concerns over alleged lapses in fire preparedness and the absence of regular safety audits of civic-owned buildings. In a letter addressed to Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar, Koli has called for a detailed discussion in the upcoming general body meeting. The discussion should focus on the functioning, inadequate staffing, and infrastructure deficiencies of the Thane Fire Brigade.
Preliminary Findings Highlight Gaps
“Preliminary findings in the Gaondevi market blaze revealed inadequate firefighting systems at the market, prompting fresh concerns over fire readiness at public facilities,” Koli stated. She emphasised that Thane’s rapid urbanisation and the proliferation of high-rise buildings have placed immense pressure on the fire department. The department continues to face staff shortages and infrastructure gaps, necessitating modernisation to respond swiftly to emergencies.
Staff Crunch and Infrastructure Issues
Activists have pointed out that barely 300 staff work in shifts to ensure the safety of nearly 25 lakh residents of the city. This acute staff crunch at such a critical department has raised alarms. Additionally, the abrupt relocation of the Jawahar Baug fire station due to ongoing redevelopment work has left the densely populated station area dependent on distant fire stations, further compounding concerns.
Political Reactions
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad questioned the delay in filling vacancies and asked whether the administration intended to hire staff on contract for such crucial roles. Thane Congress president Rahul Pingale claimed that he had written to the administration last year with adequate proof of imminent dangers at the facility, but his warnings went unheeded.
The incidents have reignited debates about the city's preparedness for fire emergencies, with stakeholders demanding immediate action to address the gaps in the firefighting system.
