A decade of delay: Paonta Sahib’s fire hydrant plan remains stalled
As summer approaches, Paonta Sahib, an industrial town in Sirmaur district, faces a growing crisis due to its neglected fire safety infrastructure. Devastating fires cause losses worth crores every year, yet the town’s firefighting capabilities remain severely limited by the absence of a functional fire hydrant network. A decade-old plan to install 172 fire hydrants remains stalled, leaving thousands vulnerable despite repeated warnings and past tragedies.
Paonta Sahib’s fire safety infrastructure is woefully inadequate, with only six outdated fire hydrants, just one of which has sufficient water pressure. The other five hydrants are directly connected to the main water supply, severely limiting their effectiveness in emergencies. This shortage hampers the fire department’s ability to access water quickly, increasing the risk of extensive damage during large-scale fires.
Industrial landscape hit
The situation is particularly concerning given Paonta Sahib’s industrial landscape, , which houses hundreds of small and large factories across areas like Gondpur, Rampur Ghat, Rajban, Sataun, Khodowala, Badri Pur, Hirpur, Surajpur, Puruwala, Kishanpura, Kedar Pur and Kunja Mataraliya. Each summer, these regions experience significant fire outbreaks, resulting in substantial financial losses.
Over a decade ago, authorities identified 172 locations for new fire hydrants and prepared a comprehensive proposal for the state government and Jal Shakti Department. However, despite repeated follow-ups and growing concerns, the project remains stalled. The planned hydrants were intended to serve Paonta Sahib’s urban and industrial zones, but the proposal is now effectively abandoned.
The consequences of neglect are evident in tragic fire incidents. In December 2024, a devastating fire in Bayankua village, located in the Paonta Sahib subdivision, claimed the life of four-year-old Ashmita and injured four women. This incident highlighted the town’s inadequate response to fire emergencies due to insufficient water sources. Industrial units have also suffered significant losses from fires, with businesses incurring crores in damages as firefighters struggle to access enough water. The lack of a proper fire hydrant system hampers operations, forcing reliance on water tankers that take precious time to arrive.
Fire Officer Ram Kumar Sharma confirmed that Paonta Sahib has only five functional fire hydrants, with just one, located near the Jal Shakti Department office, providing adequate water pressure. The remaining hydrants are connected to the drinking water supply, rendering them ineffective for firefighting. This raises serious concerns about the town’s ability to handle large-scale fire incidents. A senior Jal Shakti Department official acknowledged the urgent need for additional fire hydrants and stated that a proposal is being prepared to install new hydrants in critical locations, as well as repair and upgrade existing ones. However, given the decade-long delays in past projects, industrialists and residents remain skeptical about whether these plans will materialize into real action before another fire tragedy occurs.
As the fire season begins, Paonta Sahib is critically underprepared, relying on outdated infrastructure and a firefighting department with limited resources. Industrialists and residents are increasingly anxious about their safety and the town’s ability to handle potential fire outbreaks. The long-pending hydrant project, if implemented, could significantly improve the town’s firefighting capacity and prevent further losses. However, until action is taken, Paonta Sahib remains vulnerable to disaster, with its fate uncertain due to ongoing delays.
Himachal Tribune