Shimla, Nov 4,
Shimla’s fire safety infrastructure is facing a serious crisis, as revealed by a recent inspection conducted by the city’s Fire Department. The inspection uncovered that over 20% of the city’s fire hydrants (137 out of a total of 628) are either non-functional or buried underground, raising significant concerns about the city’s preparedness for fire emergencies.
The inspection, conducted in October, highlighted the severity of the issue, particularly in Chotta Shimla where nearly half of the hydrants were found to be faulty or buried. Similar problems were observed in the Mall Road area and Tilak Nagar station. At Cotta Shimla nearly half of the 183 hydrants—95 in total—were either faulty or buried. Similarly, the Mall Road area had 30 dysfunctional hydrants out of its 218, while Tilak Nagar station reported 12 out of 132 hydrants as non-functional. The report has been submitted to both the Shimla Municipal Corporation and the Jal Shakti Department, urging immediate action to rectify the situation.
Municipal mismanagement has been identified as a key factor contributing to these issues. Ongoing construction projects, road repairs, and pavement reconstructions have led to the damage and burial of numerous hydrants. The Fire Department has issued notices to the Municipal Corporation’s construction wing, demanding swift repairs to restore access to these critical fire hydrants.
Additionally, the encroachment of public spaces by unauthorized vendors and shopkeepers has further hindered fire response efforts. These encroachments restrict access for fire tenders, particularly in high-risk areas. Despite a High Court order to clear these encroachments, civic authorities have faced challenges in enforcing the directive, leaving many roads obstructed and response times delayed.
The city’s unplanned expansion into areas like Sanjauli, Totu, and Kanganadhar has exacerbated the problem. These areas lack the infrastructure and hydrant accessibility found in the city’s centrally planned areas. Narrow roads and limited hydrants make it difficult for firefighters to reach these neighborhoods quickly.
Divisional Fire Officer Nitin Dhiman emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by the department due to delays in repairs by municipal agencies. These unresolved issues in fire safety infrastructure not only pose a serious threat to public safety but also highlight significant gaps in municipal governance. Urgent measures are needed to repair and maintain hydrants, clear encroachments, and establish fire safety provisions in expanding areas to ensure Shimla is fully prepared to respond to fire emergencies.
