Pune: PCMC Allocates Rs 126.24 Crores for Modern Fire Brigade Headquarters in Pimpri Chinchwad

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri Chinchwad, 22nd January 2025: A new fire brigade headquarters for Pimpri Chinchwad is in the works, with a substantial budget of Rs 126.24 crores allocated for its construction. The new headquarters will be located in Gandhi Nagar, Pimpri, opposite Mahindra and Mahindra Limited. The facility will feature an 8-storey administrative building and a 15-storey residential building. It will also include parking space for 22 fire vehicles, a fire brigade office, a workshop, a museum, and an auditorium.

Currently, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Fire Brigade headquarters is situated in Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, in a congested area with insufficient space. The new headquarters will be built on 5.5 acres of land provided by Mahindra and Mahindra Limited in Gandhi Nagar, Pimpri. In addition to the buildings and infrastructure, the site will include training facilities for firefighters and a two-storey parking structure for other vehicles.

The main entrance to the headquarters will be from the Gandhi Nagar slum side, with plans to explore alternative routes in the future. However, local residents have expressed concerns about potential traffic congestion due to limited space in front of the facility for fire truck movement.

The PCMC’s Civil Department initiated the project by opening a tender with an estimated cost of Rs 150.91 crore. Out of 11 participating contractors, 8 were deemed eligible. BG Shirke Construction Tech Private Limited won the contract with the lowest bid, offering a 16.40 % reduction from the initial estimate, bringing the cost down to Rs 126.24 crore. The company has also deposited an additional security of Rs 13.30 crore on 10th January.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh approved the expenditure in the Standing Committee meeting. PCMC Chief Engineer Pramod Ombhase emphasized the need for a central fire headquarters due to the city’s growing population. He stated, “A modern and fully equipped headquarters will be set up here. The headquarters aims to improve the efficiency and training standard of the fire service in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area.”