Telangana currently operates 147 fire stations—including 38 in Hyderabad—and has deployed firefighting robots in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal
The head of Telangana’s fire services has urged the state government to introduce compulsory annual fire safety audits for pharmaceutical and life sciences facilities, highlighting the industry’s elevated risk profile. Y Nagi Reddy, director general of the Telangana Fire Disaster Response, Emergency & Civil Defence Department, made the call during the *Pillars of Protection – Forging a Safer Future for Pharma and Chemical Manufacturing* conference in Hyderabad, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) ([pharmabiz.com][1]).
Reddy pointed out that over the past decade, 102 major fire incidents were recorded in pharma units across Telangana, with estimated losses exceeding Rs 100 crore. One single factory fire alone caused Rs 30 crore in property damage and claimed six lives . He stressed the importance of embedding a culture of safety, urging that audit reports be submitted online under a “trust, don’t verify” model to encourage transparency and accountability .
Telangana currently operates 147 fire stations—including 38 in Hyderabad—and has deployed firefighting robots in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal. The department is also evaluating drone technology and discussing the induction of women firefighters, following the examples set by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu .
Reddy further referenced the Telangana Fire Service Act of 1999, which mandates No Objection Certificates for hazardous buildings. He emphasised that fire safety must not be limited to compliance but embedded within organisational culture from planning to maintenance .
Industry representatives at the conference echoed the call for proactive safety measures. Nikhil Chakravarthi of the Telangana Industries Department highlighted Hyderabad’s global significance in the pharmaceutical sector and endorsed the view that “safety is not a department, it’s a culture,” pointing to advanced risk-assessment techniques and emerging technologies such as AI, IoT sensors, drones, and digital twins .
Summarising the industry’s stance, Pharmexcil director-general K Raja Bhanu remarked: “When we export pharmaceuticals, we are not just exporting medicines. We are exporting trust, quality, and commitment to responsible manufacturing.” Investors on both the domestic and international fronts will be watching closely as Telangana seeks to align its booming life sciences sector with stricter safety norms.