Broadway’s long wait for firefighting infrastructure continues despite warnings
Broadway in Kochi remains at high risk of fire due to a lack of adequate firefighting infrastructure despite repeated warnings and past incidents. Disagreements between the Kerala Water Authority and the Fire and Rescue Services department have stalled the installation of necessary fire hydrants.
Why it matters
The ongoing failure to implement safety measures in a dense business district highlights systemic bureaucratic hurdles in urban disaster management and public safety.
Broadway continues to sit on a powder keg, as the busy business centre in Kochi is yet to get proper firefighting infrastructure despite repeated fires.
Not much has been done on the ground to put in place a firefighting mechanism despite the major fire that broke out at Koluthara Bazaar in Broadway in December 2025.
The fire vulnerability of several city areas, including heritage zones, was once again exposed by the major blaze at Fort Kochi’s Koder House last week.
While unauthorised parking and unregulated street vending continue to choke Broadway, proposals to install fire hydrants, a key requirement to tackle any eventuality, remain on paper. With the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) citing practical difficulties in installing hydrants as instructed by the District Collector, the Fire and Rescue Services department has started exploring other options.
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