The initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce response time during fire accidents and emergencies, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas and remote rural regions.

According to officials, new fire stations will be set up at Sargur and Saligrama in Mysuru district, Virajpet in Kodagu district, and Yelandur in Chamarajanagar district. Additionally, a fire station at Alur in Hassan district has already been inaugurated recently.

Further proposals have been submitted for establishing stations at Mahadeshwara Hills, Yelwala, and Kadakola. Authorities indicated that construction work for the Kadakola station, located in an industrial area, is expected to commence soon.

Plans are also underway to set up additional stations, including one at Bellur Cross in Mandya district, to improve regional coverage.

Responding to a query by MLC Kishor Kumar Puttur, Home Minister G Parameshwara informed the Legislative Council that the government has sanctioned 27 fire stations across Karnataka.

These include two stations each in Mysuru and Chikkamagaluru districts, and one each in Hassan and Kodagu under the Karnataka-State Accelerated Fire and Emergency Services Improvement Project (K-SAFE 2). Additionally, nine stations— including one in Yelandur taluk—have been approved under the 15th Finance Commission plan.

Mysuru Regional Fire Officer P Chandan stated that the expansion is aimed at significantly reducing response time for emergencies across five districts under his jurisdiction—Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, and Hassan.

Officials noted that one project in Hassan has already been completed, while a proposed station in Mysuru is currently facing land-related issues. In Kodagu, construction requires additional funding due to challenging terrain conditions.

The department has also sent a proposal to establish a fire station at Male Mahadeshwara Hills, a major religious and forested area that requires specialised emergency response coverage.

Fire authorities emphasised that quick response is critical in saving lives, controlling fire outbreaks, and minimising property damage. As per guidelines by the Standing Fire Advisory Council, the recommended response time for the first fire tender is 5-7 minutes in urban areas and up to 20 minutes in rural regions.

Additionally, norms suggest that one fire station should cover a radius of 10 kilometres in urban areas and 50 kilometres in rural regions. Officials said that the planned expansion will help Karnataka meet these benchmarks more effectively.

The establishment of new fire stations is expected to enhance emergency preparedness, particularly in districts with expanding towns, forest fringes, and hilly terrain. Faster deployment of personnel and equipment will play a crucial role in reducing risks during fires, accidents, and other life-threatening situations.

Authorities added that improved infrastructure will not only boost public safety but also ensure better disaster management capabilities across the region.

The Karnataka government's push to expand fire and emergency services infrastructure reflects a proactive approach to public safety. By setting up new stations across key districts, the state aims to ensure quicker response times, improved coverage, and better protection for both urban and rural communities.