Vikas Rikhye

Vikas Rikhye, Real Estate Blogger

Disaster Management

Gurgaon that has become a hub for multinationals, has witnessed a remarkable growth in Residential, Commercial, Institutional and Healthcare segment. Its emergence as Millennium city has attracted the attention of investors as well as end users. The strategic location of Gurgaon on NH-8 with close proximity to IGI Airport, made it a favorite destination for investment from different field of real estate.

In this remarkable speedy growth, the high rise buildings were not only limited to residential and commercial segment but high rise trend continued in other segments of real estate like Hotels, Hospitals, Institutional buildings and Shopping malls etc.

There was a need to have increase in the “Disaster Management measures” keeping a pace with over all growth. Fire fighting measure in Gurgaon seem to be inadequate as compared with safety needs of this bustling city with increase of high rise buildings and new real estate projects being announced every day. It is understood that Gurgaon has over 700 buildings as high as 90 meters, while many more are under construction and the fire department does not seem to have fire fighting hydraulic platforms matching these heights, therefore, it is very difficult to deal with an accident if happens at that height.

Moreover, it is understood from reliable sources that presently Gurgaon has four fire stations including the latest in Udyog Vihar and even the number of Fire tenders and fire fighters is not sufficient.

The improvement on Fire Fighting infrastructure is being considered by the administration on high priority and would make efforts for a continuous progress. While these efforts are being made at the same time, the authorities should also create awareness of social responsibility and motivate people to participate in providing additional support to the infrastructure.

• It should be made mandatory for the builders, to provide a space for Fire Station in the colony being promoted by them and they should be obliged to provide as well as maintain, the required equipment at the same
• As a part of social responsibility, big industrial units and MNCs should support and fund the Government to improve the Fire Fighting infrastructure
• Fire fighting training and drills should be conducted in high rise gated complexes and residents should be encouraged to participate
• In high-rise buildings, besides providing for fire fighting, it should be mandatory to have fire extinguishers and First Aid Boxes (the usage of the same should be explained to the residents)
• NGOs like Rotary, should create fire fighting awareness and provide Fire extinguishers in Labor camps as well as in Jhuggi-Jompri areas.

While the Government is planning for the best available Fire safety measures equipment & resources at the same time, there should be unconditional support from each and every citizen of Gurgaon.