NAVI MUMBAI: The fire brigade unit of the Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is taking proactive measures to ensure compliance with fire No Objection Certificates (NOC) among schools, hotels, hospitals, and buildings. Chief Fire Officer Pravin Bodkhe has requested the cooperation of these establishments following recent fire incidents in Kharghar and Kamothe.
Fire brigade personnel will conduct on-site inspections using a standardized format. Two teams assigned to each node will complete this task across six areas—Panvel, New Panvel, Kamothe, Kalamboli, Rodpali, and Taloja—within the next six months. This initiative aims to update fire safety records for all establishments within the municipal jurisdiction.
The inspections will be cost-effective for the PCMC, as they will utilize in-house fire brigade staff. The inspections are intended to facilitate self-correction within establishments with guidance from fire brigade personnel. While the PCMC operates three fire units in Panvel, New Panvel, and Kalamboli, the Kharghar fire brigade is managed by Cidco.
The PCMC and Cidco collectively have around 150 and 50 fire personnel, respectively. Bodkhe also serves as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Cidco.
The inspections will follow a two-page report format, which will assess fire safety systems, extinguishers, hydrants, sprinklers, alarms, pump rooms, water tanks, emergency exits, smoke detectors, and the presence of trained fire wardens. Additionally, the inspections will cover electrical wiring, diesel generator safety, basement parking ventilation, access road conditions, and lift compliance with fire codes.
Bodkhe stated, “Our staff will conduct thorough checks and recommend necessary changes to the establishments we inspect.”
Sunil Shirishkar, leader of the Prahar Janshakti Party, expressed that their party has previously urged the PCMC commissioner to inspect all establishments to avert disasters, leading to the initiation of these actions.
