Mumbai : The BMC might soon revive the city’s defunct water hydrants that it put out of use almost two years ago. The civic body’s standing committee will vote on a proposal to start close to 10,000 water hydrants installed along footpaths across the city and its suburbs.
A water hydrant is a mechanism to provide water required to douse fire, in case of a disaster or emergency. It is the red painted pole propped up along footpaths, with a mouth protruding from one side that acts like a tap. In case of emergency, firemen can attach the hose pipes to the hydrants for immediate water supply.
Currently, out of around 10,000 water hydrants across Mumbai, corporators in the civic body claim that 90% have been out of order for some years now. Most have been damaged due to consistent road and footpath repair work. Many have been buried under footpaths or paver blocks and others are obstructed due to construction or railings on the pavements.
With a rise in fire incidents in Mumbai, it is becoming increasingly more important to create safeguards against fire. However, with most instalments out of order, the fire brigade is left to rely on portable water from tankers.
