Civic body plays it safe

PMC will invest Rs 12 crore in firefighting equipment to ensure the safety of highrises

PMC will invest Rs 12 crore in firefighting equipment to ensure the safety of highrises

Following its decision to allow developers construct buildings up to the height of 100 metres, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is now ensuring the safety of those residing in these structures during crisis.

The civic body has recently agreed to invest Rs 12 crore in a hydraulic platform for fire brigade that will be used in cases of emergency. The 70 metre tall platform, called as Bronto Skylift Snorkel, will be imported from Finland.



Prashant Ranpise, deputy chief fire officer of the PMC Fire Brigade, said tenders are being floated now. "Our snorkels have capacities of 35 metres and 42 metres. We expect to get the Bronto Skylift early next year," he said. The funds have been allocated from the 2010-11 PMC budget. The company has also offered to train 15 firemen in handling the new snorkel.

Ranpise added that the decision was taken keeping in mind the fact that the PMC had raised the maximum height of buildings from 60 to 100 metres to fill the shortage for residential accommodation, seven months ago.

Meanwhile, Prashant Waghmare, city engineer, PMC, said, "There are several upcoming residential and commercial high-rises in Pune and it is important that the city invests in safety devices to meet any eventualities in the future."

Incidentally, the Mumbai fire brigade does not have this skylift.

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