A tragic fire at a powder-coating factory in Pune's Bhosari MIDC area on Saturday has claimed the life of one worker and left five others injured, casting a harsh spotlight on the alarming inadequacy of fire safety measures within the industrial zones of Pimpri Chinchwad. Municipal officials have raised serious concerns about the systemic failure to enforce safety norms across thousands of units operating under the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
Missing Safety Systems and a Two-Decade Demand
When fire brigade teams from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) rushed to the scene, they discovered that the factory was operating without key fire safety systems. This incident has ignited a long-simmering dispute over jurisdictional responsibilities. While MIDC issues fire No-Objection Certificates (NoCs) and is tasked with enforcing safety standards within its limits, it does not have a dedicated fire station in Pimpri Chinchwad. This critical gap forces the PCMC fire services to handle all emergencies, despite lacking authority for regular compliance checks.
"There seems to be no regular inspection for compliance," revealed a senior PCMC official, highlighting a major loophole in the safety regime. Industry representatives echo this concern. Sandeep Belsare, president of the Pimpri Chinchwad Small Scale Industries Association, stated that over 5,000 industrial units operate in the area. "We have been demanding a dedicated fire station for more than two decades. Several meetings were also held with state industries ministers, but there has been no development," Belsare said. He did note that a plot in Bhosari MIDC's F2 block has been allocated for a fire station and PCMC has initiated the tendering process.
The Menace of Unauthorized Units and Lax Audits
The problem is compounded by the proliferation of unregistered and unauthorized units. Abhay Bhor, president of the Forum of Small Scale Industries Association, pointed out that many such units operating from rented premises or temporary tin sheds routinely flout safety rules. "Issuing fire NoCs is not enough. Authorities must identify illegal units and check whether they follow safety norms. Awareness activities are also missing," Bhor emphasized. He added that small fires from illegal waste burning are frequent, and some units resort to illegally using domestic LPG cylinders due to shortages, further elevating risks.
On the question of enforcement, MIDC officials presented a different perspective. Bharat Kapse, divisional fire officer of MIDC, said industrial units are mandated to conduct a fire safety audit every six months. "There are no ground inspections, but submitting an audit report is mandatory," Kapse stated, asserting that these reports confirm compliance. However, this paper-based system stands in stark contrast to the on-ground reality exposed by the recent blaze.
A Tug of Responsibility and a Call for Action
MIDC's executive engineer, Sanjay Kutwad, explained the absence of an MIDC fire station by citing financial arrangements. "MIDC does not have a fire station in Pimpri Chinchwad because it does not collect service tax or other levies from industries there, unlike in Ranjangaon, Chakan or Hinjewadi," he said. Kutwad noted that the area's maintenance was handed over to PCMC years ago. PCMC deputy municipal commissioner Venkatesh Durvas stressed that industries handling high-risk materials like LPG must adhere strictly to protocols. "Regular checks, maintenance and adequate training are basic responsibilities of every industry. Saturday's incident in Bhosari is a sharp reminder that safety lapses can have serious consequences," Durvas warned.
While PCMC has begun work on a new, advanced fire station in Bhosari on MIDC land, civic officials caution that this infrastructure boost, though welcome, is not a panacea. The new facility will strengthen emergency response but cannot replace preventive measures, as PCMC remains unauthorized to conduct compliance inspections—a power solely vested with MIDC. This tragic fire underscores an urgent need for coordinated action, ground-level inspections, and the closure of illegal units to prevent future catastrophes in Pune's vital industrial belt.
