After Talawade fire, PCMC ‘wakes’ up: YCM has no burns ward, injured had to travel 25 km

“Throughout the journey, there were traffic jams at every stretch. No matter how much horn we buzz, it is of no use…” said an ambulance driver.

The incident has once again revived the demand from citizens, activists, and former corporators for setting up a burns ward at the civic-run YCM hospital.

“I have been living in Pimpri-Chinchwad for more than 50 years. It is a big shame that a city like Pimpri-Chinchwad does not have the facility of a burns ward. Every time a fire incident takes place, the injured have to be rushed to the Sassoon Hospital. Earlier, it didn’t seem very far. Now because of traffic jams, it sometimes takes hours to reach Sassoon,” said Jayshree Marale, a retired school principal.

Labour leader Kailas Kadam, who was among those who rushed to the tragedy site, said, “Bodies of those who died were beyond recognition. Those who were injured had to be taken to Sassoon Hospital. It is shocking that there is no burns ward in a city which has a population of more than 25 lakh.”

Kadam, who is also the president of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Congress, said it is the responsibility of the PCMC (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation) to set up a burns ward. “What is happening at the YCM Hospital? Why can’t the PCMC set up a burns ward at YCM hospital?” he quipped.

Ajit Gavahane, president of NCP Pimpri-Chinchwad unit, said, “The fire incident has shown how ill-prepared Pimpri-Chinchwad is. In this case, only 10 were injured. If there were more people, then there would have been a problem in taking them to Sassoon as it is full of patients.”

Gavahane said they have already taken up the issue with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. “We have told him that Pimpri-Chinchwad badly needs a burns ward… We are confident he will issue necessary directions to the PCMC,” he said.

“It is because of lack of space that a burns ward has not come up at the YCM hospital. In the wake of the recent fire tragedy, we are now actively considering the possibility of setting up a burns ward,” YCMH Dean Dr Rajendra Wable said.

Wable said the burns unit will need a separate space, ICU, and skin bank beside staff. “We are currently holding discussions regarding finalising a space. If it is not possible to set up the burns ward at YCM hospital given the space crunch, we will look at other alternatives like Thergaon Hospital or any other civic hospital,” he said.

However, civic activists said a burns unit should be set up in an area where there are fewer traffic jams and easily accessible connecting routes. “The PCMC can purchase the empty land of Hindustan Antibiotics or any other land in the area. These are centrally located places and accessible from different sides like Nigdi, Bhosari, Pimple Saudagar, or Dapodi,” said civic activist Lahu Landge.