In a clear violation of fire safety laws, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has deployed fire tenders and firefighters for non-emergency tasks such as cleaning roads and watering plants in preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit. This misuse of emergency resources directly contradicts legal provisions and endangers public safety.
The Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, under Section 3, mandates that fire services be used strictly for firefighting, rescue operations, and disaster management. Similarly, the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act prohibit using fire services for non-emergency municipal work.
Legal rulings have reinforced these restrictions. In All India Fire Officers Association vs. State of Maharashtra, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court ruled against the use of fire services for non-emergency tasks. Additionally, Supreme Court judgments emphasize that emergency resources must not be diverted for political or decorative purposes.
With limited fire tenders in Nagpur, any diversion risks serious consequences in actual emergencies. Firefighters are highly trained for life-saving operations, and assigning them to non-essential work undermines their preparedness.
The NMC must be held accountable for this reckless decision. Instead of misusing emergency resources, authorities should focus on strengthening fire safety infrastructure. Further misuse of fire services should face strict legal action to ensure public safety remains a priority.
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