Hyderabad: Motor Vehicle Act on fire extinguishers ignored

Hyderabad: Fires often erupt in running vehicles. Recently, a car caught fire in front of the office of the Director General of Police at Lakdikapul. This is often due to poor maintenance of the vehicle, say road safety experts. 

The Motor Vehicle Act requires a fire extinguisher to be installed in all commercial vehicles, but this is not always done because there is poor enforcement of the rule.

Speaking about the reason for the fire in the car near the DIG’s office in Lakdikapul, K. Venkata Nagendra, Station Fire Officer, Lakdikapul, said, “The sparks may have been generated at the power cable. Sometimes accidentally or due to rats eating the power cable wires, sparks will be generated and if they come in contact with a combustible substance like petrol or diesel, a fire starts.”

Vinod Kumar Kanumala, chief functionary, Indian Road Federation, said that rules are in place to minimise fire hazards in vehicles but enforcement is lacking from the concerned departments such as transport and traffic. 

“Mainly fire accidents occur due to improper maintenance. The driver may run his vehicle without coolant. Or when the vehicle is under repair, the workshop can sometimes replace the car’s original electrical wire parts with some other low grade parts. CNG and LPG vehicles should be properly maintained,” Mr Kanumala said.