Scams in the BMC fire brigade—and city safety endangered under dynastic rule!

Mumbai is not merely the financial capital of India; it is a refuge for millions of people. In a city surrounded by towering buildings, dense populations, commercial complexes, malls, nightclubs, and sprawling slums, fire safety is not a luxury—it is a matter of life and death. However, after the horrific fire that broke out at the ‘Burch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Arpora, Goa, on the night of December 6, 2025, claiming the lives of 25 people, one fear has taken root in the minds of Mumbaikars— “What if a similar incident happens in Mumbai tomorrow?” This concern is far from hypothetical. On December 29, 2017, a fire at a pub in the Kamala Mills compound in Lower Parel claimed 14 innocent lives and injured more than 55 people. Can it be confidently stated today that the system truly improved after that tragedy? The reality is that a series of scams related to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) fire brigade clearly indicate that Mumbai’s fire safety remains under grave threat. Fire Brigade: A Life-Saving Force or a “Gold Mine”? In any metropolis, the fire brigade is not merely an administrative department—it is the first line of defense for citizens’ safety. From issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to high-rise buildings to saving lives during emergencies, this department bears immense responsibility. Yet in Mumbai—particularly during the long tenure of the Shiv Sena under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray—this very department has repeatedly been accused of becoming a hub of corruption and malpractice. Scams have surfaced at every stage: equipment procurement, recruitment, service charges, and issuance of NOCs. The direct consequence has been that many buildings deemed “safe” on paper have turned into death traps in reality. Kamala Mills Case and the High Court’s Rebuke In the Kamala Mills fire case, the Bombay High Court severely reprimanded the BMC, stating unequivocally that the tragedy was the result of the administration’s failure to strictly enforce rules. “The time has come for the BMC to put its own house in order,” the court observed. Yet the crucial question remains—how many fundamental reforms were actually implemented after those remarks? A Chain of Scandals: Some Key Examples 1) Recruitment Scam: In 2023, fake appointment letters, forged medical certificates, and the extortion of crores of rupees from candidates were exposed in the recruitment of 910 fire brigade posts. Investigations revealed collections amounting to approximately ₹2.3 crore. If recruitment itself is compromised in a life-saving department, how can its credibility survive? 2) Fire Service Charges Scam: In 2021, Mumbai BJP president and MLA Amit Satam alleged a scam worth ₹5,000 crore. Developers were allegedly granted exemptions from charges, while residents were later forced to pay fees retrospectively—amounting to blatant fraud against ordinary Mumbaikars. 3) Uniform Procurement Scam: Cases emerged where contractors accepted payments for supplying uniforms to fire brigade personnel but failed to deliver them. Firefighters were forced to buy uniforms from their own pockets, causing an estimated loss of ₹12 crore to the BMC. 4) Turntable Ladder Procurement Scam: It is alleged that tender conditions were deliberately altered to favor a particular company in the procurement of 68-meter-high turntable ladders. An additional cost of ₹10 crore per ladder for just four extra meters—amounting to nearly ₹40 crore—was incurred, effectively eliminating competition and causing losses to the civic body. 5) Irregularities in Issuing NOCs: Despite inadequate fire safety measures, several high-rise buildings were granted NOCs. Forged signatures, fake stamps, and blatant violations of norms have significantly increased the risk of loss of life during fires. The High Court has repeatedly criticized the BMC on this issue. Dynastic Rule in the BMC and the Threat to Mumbai’s Safety All these scams converge at a single point—the prolonged rule of one family over the BMC. It is alleged that due to this long-standing dominance, the BMC ceased to function as a democratic institution and instead began operating like a private fiefdom. The family’s “left hand” and “right hand” were placed in committees, departments, and key positions. Contracts, approvals, and NOCs began functioning solely on the basis of that family’s “blessing.” This patronage enabled a continuous chain of scams, the cost of which Mumbaikars are paying with their lives at risk. If a tragedy like the Goa fire were to occur in Mumbai, the question of responsibility would remain unanswered. Time for a Decision Scams related to the fire brigade are not merely financial crimes; they are a direct gamble with the lives of Mumbaikars. Allowing such a system to continue unchecked is an invitation to future disasters. The upcoming municipal elections are not just a political contest—they are a referendum on Mumbai’s safety. And therefore, it must be stated clearly and unequivocally— Remember, the BMC is not the private estate of any one family. BMC is not a family business #notafamilybusiness