Mumbai: Panvel fire brigade adds two fire bikes to tackle blazes in hard-to-reach areas

The motorcycles that will be used in firefighting operations in Panvel, Navi Mumbai. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Reaching narrow lanes, congested marketplaces and difficult-to-access areas during fire emergencies could become easier for the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC), as two specially equipped fire bikes join its fire brigade fleet.

The two bikes, provided by the Directorate of Maharashtra Fire Services, aim to strengthen the civic body's emergency response mechanism, particularly in areas where large fire engines often struggle to reach due to space constraints.

[popcorn number="24 Ltr" desc="Capacity of water tank on each bike" class="Default"]

Based on the Royal Enfield Bullet, the specially modified bikes are equipped with an approximately 24-litre water tank, a high-pressure pump, fire extinguishers, sirens, flashers, loudspeakers and wireless communication facilities. These features will enable firefighters to reach an incident quickly and initiate firefighting operations before larger fire tenders arrive.

Panvel Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale said, "These specially equipped fire bikes will help us reach locations that are difficult for conventional fire engines to access. They will be useful in tackling fires immediately and strengthening our emergency response system."

How bikes will help

They will be particularly useful in crowded markets, narrow streets and areas with difficult terrain, improving response times. They will help tackle smaller fires at an early stage and prevent them from spreading until additional firefighting resources reach the spot.

Mangesh Chitale, Panvel municipal commissioner

Resident Speak

Chandrashekhar Bhat
‘In crowded areas and older parts of the city, reaching a fire spot quickly can be difficult. These bikes can prove useful in controlling a fire during its initial stages and preventing major damage'

Dinesh Shetty
‘Quick action is extremely important during a fire emergency. Having smaller firefighting vehicles that can move through narrow lanes will benefit residents. However, regular maintenance and proper training of personnel will be equally important'