A massive fire broke out near the Kaliyasot Dam in Bhopal on Thursday evening, consuming over 30 acres of land and marking the third major fire incident in the city within 24 hours. The blaze erupted around the 13-shutter area of the dam, close to the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), and quickly spread across dry vegetation, fuelled by the intense summer heat.
Flames and thick smoke were visible from a distance, alarming residents and institutions in the surrounding areas, including WALMI, Danish Hills, and Jagran Lakecity University. Panic spread briefly in nearby neighborhoods as the fire continued to advance rapidly.
Kolar Fire Station’s fire safety in-charge Pankaj Khare stated that fire tenders were deployed to the site around 5:30 PM, and more than a dozen fire vehicles and water tankers were engaged in containing the flames. Speaking at 9:30 PM, Khare described the operation as "challenging but under control," adding that at least one more hour would be needed to fully extinguish the fire.
While officials confirmed that the area does not fall under the jurisdiction of the forest department, it lies entirely within WALMI’s property. However, concerns remain high, as the affected zone is part of a known tiger movement corridor, raising ecological alarms.
Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh and WALMI Director Sarita Bala Om Prajapati arrived at the scene to oversee response efforts. SDM Kolar Ravi Shankar Rai reported that five families living near the danger zone were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Khare also noted that fencing in the area hampered firefighting operations, making it difficult for vehicles to access certain parts of the burning terrain.
While the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, officials refrained from speculating. However, locals familiar with the region suggest that human involvement cannot be ruled out and have called for a thorough investigation.
No injuries or casualties have been reported, but environmental experts have voiced concern over the severe ecological impact, stressing the urgent need for enhanced fire preparedness, stricter monitoring, and protection of Bhopal’s vulnerable green belts.
