The Times of India                 29.09.2010

Security measures: PMC headquarters to have separate fire station

PUNE: The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Tuesday approved the civic administration's proposal of a permanent fire brigade station for the main PMC building in Shivajinagar.

"This fire station will have a two lakh litre water tank, smoke detectors, pipelines and other basic infrastructure. This was a much needed step," said standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde on Tuesday.

Ever since the bomb blast at German Bakery on February 13, security at public places, malls and multiplexes has come under scrutiny. An expert committee under the chairmanship of N V Merani, former principal secretary of the Public Works Department, had suggested certain regulations that needed to be followed.

The special regulations envisage provision for security outposts, approach roads with sufficient restraints to prevent direct movement of vehicles towards structures, a control room for security and electronic surveillance operations, light controls, fire-safety requirements and buildings with blast-resistant designs.

The standing committee also approved funds of Rs 47 lakh for the beautification of Ambil Odha, while Rs 18 lakh were approved for a protection wall around Pashan lake.

"The civic body has received funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for protecting water bodies in the city and the funds for Ambil Odha and Pashan lake are part of the same. The standing committee also approved Rs 25 crore for Dhayari to Nanded phata on Sinhagad road," said Shinde.

The PMC is planning to raise a protective three-foot wall and a five-foot mesh along the 15-km Ambil Odha and six other streams and nullahs to protect them from dumping and encroachments.

The committee also approved Rs 8.5 crore for construction of approach road to Sangamwadi.