The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has granted clearance to 46 high-rise buildings exceeding 40 meters in height, despite the firefighting team's maximum reach of 42 meters. This poses a challenge for the NMC's fire department, as they lack the necessary equipment for tall buildings. To address this, the NMC has proposed acquiring a 70-meter hydraulic platform, which has been approved in the upcoming budget. The NMC advises developers to prioritize firefighting systems in high-rise buildings and mandates regular drills for occupied structures. These measures aim to enhance safety in Nagpur's vertical growth trend.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has granted clearance to 46 high-rise buildings exceeding 40 meters in height in the previous financial year, despite the firefighting team's maximum reach of 42 meters. The city has been experiencing a vertical growth trend, limited to a height of 100 meters. However, this poses a significant challenge for the NMC's fire and emergency services department, as their firefighting assistance is only equipped for buildings up to 42 meters in height.
B Chandankhede, the Chief Fire Officer, emphasized that the hydraulic platform is a fundamental requirement for their department to handle incidents in high-rise structures. Presently, the city's fire department possesses two turntable ladders and a hydraulic platform with vertical limits of 42 and 32 meters, respectively.
In response to the growing demand, they have proposed acquiring a 70-meter hydraulic platform. Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B has already approved the proposal in the NMC budget for the upcoming financial year, allocating a budget of ?15 crore for this purpose.
Prior to the last financial year, the NMC had approved approximately 144 buildings exceeding 40 meters in height, although only a few have commenced construction. Notable high-rise buildings, such as Godrej Anandam and Empress City, have already been erected in various parts of the city.
According to data from the NMC, there were only 15 buildings exceeding 40 meters in height within the city's limits in 2019-2020. However, the demand for vertical buildings has experienced a sharp increase since then. In 2020-2021, the civic body granted approval to 24 buildings exceeding 40 meters in height, followed by 29 buildings in the subsequent year (2021-2022), and 46 buildings in the most recent financial year.
When issuing no objection certificates (NOCs) for high-rise buildings, the NMC advises developers to prioritize the development of firefighting systems. The fire department ensures that these vertical buildings are equipped with in-house firefighting equipment. Additionally, they require occupied high-rise buildings to conduct regular drills to maintain preparedness.
In conclusion, the NMC has been approving numerous high-rise buildings exceeding 40 meters in height despite the limitations of their current firefighting capabilities. However, recognizing the need to address this issue, they have proposed acquiring a new hydraulic platform with an extended reach. The fire department also emphasizes the importance of developers integrating firefighting systems into their construction plans, and they enforce regular drills for already occupied high-rise buildings. These measures aim to mitigate the risks associated with vertical growth in Nagpur and enhance the safety of its residents.
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