Pune: In a significant move aimed at improving public safety and emergency response in the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) area, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved the establishment of 10 new fire stations.
These stations will be strategically located across various talukas, including Daund, Purandar, Mulshi, Shirur, Khed, Maval, and Haveli. The decision was made during a recent meeting of the PMRDA to address the increasing need for rapid fire and emergency services in this fast-growing region.
The PMRDA currently oversees 814 villages, which include numerous industrial estates and businesses, in addition to residential and commercial developments.
As urbanization continues at a rapid pace, there has been a pressing demand for local fire services to ensure timely responses to emergencies.
Currently, fire trucks are dispatched from Pune or Pimpri-Chinchwad city, leading to delays in reaching incidents due to the significant distances involved.
To meet this demand, the PMRDA had initially reserved 34 locations for fire stations within its jurisdiction. Now, 10 of these sites have been finalized for the construction of fire and emergency management centers, with a projected budget of ₹150 crore.
This budget will cover the costs of building fire station facilities, staff accommodations, procuring fire trucks, and necessary equipment.
The approved fire stations will be located as follows:
Daund: Kedgaon
Shirur: Shikrapur
Maval: Kanhe and Patan
Purandar: Dive
Mulshi: Mhalunge
Khed: Yewalewadi
Haveli: Vadachiwadi, Autade-Handewadi, and Manjari-Vadachiwadi
This development is expected to significantly improve response times and ensure better safety for residents and industries within the PMRDA region.
The fire stations will not only provide immediate assistance in case of fires but also serve as emergency management centers, equipped to handle various other crises.
The construction of these fire stations is expected to be completed in the coming months, after which the regions will have access to localized emergency services, reducing the dependency on Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad for fire assistance.