The Fire and Rescue Service Department will be filing its report on the safety measures required for the Kochi Metro Rail project by August 20. A team from the department visited Delhi a few months ago after which the members prepared a detailed report on the safety gears required in Metro stations and inside the Metro train when it becomes operational.
According to Fire and Rescue Service officials, no compromise can be made on precautionary measures to be taken when the Metro becomes operational. The Home Department had recommended them to prepare a report which should be handed over to the authorities concerned of the Metro project. “We recommend four pumps in each corner of the metro stations for pumping fire extinguishing hydrogenates in case of fire. Besides, there must be sprinklers and other safety equipment for emergency situations. There should be two elevators for people to enter the metro station from either sides. The electrical equipment should be made of flame-retardant wires. The main circuit room in each station should be fitted with carbon dioxide or nitrogen chemical which can resist fire. Inside the train there would be only fire extinguishing cylinders which can be used in case of fire mishaps. All safety measures should be taken when electric cables are laid,” the report stated.
However, officials of the Fire and Rescue Service Department who visited Delhi for reviewing the safety measures of the Delhi Metro said that Kochi Metro would be safer than the Delhi Metro.
“The Delhi Metro operates underground where chances of fire are higher. Since the Kochi Metro would be operated on an elevated structure and through open air, chances of fire accidents are less. The department has recommended more fire safety measures for the stations. However, the major concern is crowd management at the stations. Even though the Kochi Metro train would be shorter than its Delhi counterpart, the stations must be of the same size to accommodate more people,” a Fire and Rescue Service official said.
The report has been recommended to be filed before August 20. The report would be handed over to the Directorate from where it would be submitted to the Home Department.
The department will also monitor each phase of the construction of the project which can become operational only after its clearance.