This story is from September 15, 2016

U’khand’s premier industrial estate ill-equipped to deal with fires

More than twelve years after it was established, the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (SIDCUL)-owned industrial estate in Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar district still does not have a modern fire station or equipment to fight an industrial blaze
U’khand’s premier industrial estate ill-equipped to deal with fires
Representative Image
RUDRAPUR: More than twelve years after it was established, the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (SIDCUL)-owned industrial estate in Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar district still does not have a modern fire station or equipment to fight an industrial blaze. The more than 400 factories in the state’s premier industrial zone pose a significant fire hazard. A total of 59 fires occurred in 2015 and already this year 57 incidents have taken place.
With only seven fire engines and not enough equipment in the lone fire station, the industrial area, said observers, is a virtual tinderbox.
To make matters worse, most of the factories have not installed fire-fighting equipment in their premises. K S Bisht, chief fire officer (CFO) at the fire station told TOI that the station has just three mid-fire engines (MFE), a dry chemical powder (DCP) tender, a vacuum pump tender and a high-pressure tender, aided by just one rescue vehicle.
“My team usually succeeds in extinguishing fires, but the facilities we have are only enough for small fire incidents. In the event of a major fire, foam and water tenders owned by private fire stations of Bajaj, Tata, Ashok Leyland, Century Paper Mill at Lalkuan and Rudrapur fire station are called upon,” Bisht added.
“A single fire station can’t cater to the needs of more than 400 factories in the estate, spread over 2,000 hectares. The station needs to be expanded and modernized, and more fire stations need to be set up across the zone. Establishing a private fire station is an expensive venture and most of the factories can’t afford it on their own,” pointed out Ajay Tiwari, president of the Sidcul Entrepreneur Welfare Society.
Bisht alleged that management of the factories did not support fire department personnel in their efforts to prevent a major fire. “In September, 30 of the factories have been issued notices for not installing hydrants and other fire-fighting equipment. Many factories do not apply for the yearly renewal of no objection certificate (NOC) for fires and also not allow our personnel to carry out the survey, as this authority lies with SIDCUL officials,” he said.

Regional manager of SIDCUL, Gaurav Chatwal, said that they are working in tandem with the fire department over the list of factories who have violated the norms. “The violators will soon be sent notices to present their side of the case or face legal action,” he added.
“The hydrants installed at the factories are not enough to handle a major fire. A few days ago, during a fire at the Daali and Samar factory located in sector 7 of the estate, the hydrants could not work as the power supply was cut because of the fire. There are around 30 lakh litres of petrochemicals in the area. Fire from such substances can’t be put out by water, only by foam and dry chemical powder,” pointed out chemical engineer Vishwas Sharma, who has been monitoring these fire incidents.
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