The lack of a network of fire hydrants in Kochi has left the city vulnerable in case of fire accidents.
There have been several minor fires in Kochi in the recent past, indicating the need for a functional fire hydrant network. However, the authorities have not taken a single step in this direction.
Fire hydrants are key to fire-fighting operations as fire tenders that run out of water can immediately hook up to these sources of water.
Kochi has no fire hydr-ants at all. It is mandatory that metropolitan cities have a well-plan-ned system of fire hydra-nts and with Kochi rapidly moving towards metro status, the au-thorities need to think seriously about putting this inf-rastructure in place.
Reports and petitions filed in this regard by the fire stations have found their way into the nearest dustbin.
“In Ernakulam, the only hydrant we have is at Pir-avom, which was installed by the late T.M. Jacob when he was minister for water resources,” said a Fire and Rescue force official.
An example of how fire hydrants can help was witnessed during the maj-or fire a few weeks ago at the Banbury unit of Apo-llo Tyres. The fire and rescue personnel could put out the fire in two hours thanks to the top quality fire hydrant network system of Apollo Tyres.
This system is not available in the city. Fire-fighters had to take water from the backwater to put out the fire that engulfed the Joyalukkas Wedding Centre building at Marine Drive last year.
Ernakulam divisional officer Joe Kuruvilla Eesho said, “The need for hydrants was raised during the planning of the Japan water supply scheme. But it has not been implemented yet.”