Pimpri: Following the recent fire incidents in Chikhali and Kudalwadi, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has taken action against unauthorized warehouses in the region. The municipal administration has surveyed 4,662 commercial establishments in areas like Kudalwadi, Talawade, and Chikhali.

Notices have been issued to warehouse owners neglecting fire safety measures, and sealing of warehouses that have received three warnings will begin on Monday (December 16).

In the aftermath of the Kudalwadi fire, which destroyed 35 warehouses across four acres, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has intensified inspections. The fire, which took the fire department four days to control, exposed the lack of safety precautions in unauthorized establishments storing flammable materials such as plastic, wood, rubber, and chemicals.

The fire department’s records show a rise in incidents in the Kudalwadi area:

• 30 incidents in 2020

• 41 in 2021

• 44 in 2022

• 58 in 2023

• 44 as of October 2024

Survey and Notices Issued

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s survey revealed widespread non-compliance with fire safety norms. Of the 4,662 establishments surveyed:

• 4,512 were issued notices for lack of fire safety measures.

• 244 complied and received no-objection certificates.

• 4,268 ignored the notices and now face penalties.

Deputy Fire Officer Manoj Lonkar confirmed that establishments neglecting safety after three warnings will have their water and electricity supply cut off and be sealed.