Traders, residents and business owners in Ramanattukara have renewed their long-standing demand for a dedicated mini fire station in the city, citing repeated delays in emergency response in the fast-growing commercial hub, which has witnessed an alarming rise in fires in recent years. The recent fire at the paint shop, which caused a loss of ₹1.5 million to the owner, brought the demand to the fore again.
Representatives of various trade forums have claimed that the absence of an easily accessible fire station has repeatedly delayed emergency response in the region, resulting in heavy financial losses. Located at the gateway to Kozhikode city on the border of Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, Ramanattukara now has nearly 900 commercial establishments, including wholesale and retail shops, supermarkets, auditoriums and high-rise buildings used for commercial and residential purposes, they pointed out.
“We have repeatedly submitted a memorandum to the municipal authorities and people’s representatives to intervene. Timely arrival of the fire brigade continues to be the main problem,” said P. Rasheed, member of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti. He said first responders could respond effectively if they were placed within reach.
At present, emergency situations in the area are mainly handled by the fire protection units from the remote Meenchanda and Vellimadukunnu stations. Traders alleged that heavy traffic congestion, coupled with ongoing construction work on the national highway, was delaying the movement of fire tenders to Ramanattukar and nearby areas.
Owners of small and large industrial units said that the recent increase in the number of high-rise buildings and the concentration of auditoriums in the region warrants an immediate strengthening of the fire infrastructure. They also questioned the alleged apathy of local administrators in selecting suitable plots for the project.
Officials of various civic forums and voluntary organizations pointed out that a portion of the 88 acres of land owned by the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation could be made available for the project. However, they claimed that there was no proper intervention by the concerned authorities to speed up the process.
Sources from the fire and rescue department said that they have approached the municipal authorities at least three times for urgent allotment of suitable land for the mini fire station. According to them, a mini fire station is a basic requirement for fire safety within an eight kilometer radius for fast growing cities like Ramanattukara.
Meanwhile, city officials said efforts are ongoing to resolve technical issues related to the identification and handover of required land for the project. They added that several proposals for suitable properties were being considered and a final decision would be taken soon keeping in mind public sentiment.
Published – 11 May 2026 19:31 IST
