Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, Hon’ble Minister of State, Home (Rural) , Housing, Mining, Cooperation & School Education, Government of Maharashtra
From Certificate-Based Compliance to Continuous Preparedness, Madhuri Misal Calls for Stronger Fire Safety Practices
Mumbai, September 3, 2026: India must not only adopt global fire and security technologies but also build and export home-grown solutions as the country expands its cities, industries and infrastructure, said Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, Hon’ble Minister of State, Mining, Cooperation & School Education, Government of Maharashtra at the 9th edition of the Fire & Security India Expo (FSIE) 2026 in Mumbai. Emphasising the role of Make in India and Startup India, Bhoyar said India should move from buying technology from the world to creating technology for the world, while strengthening its domestic fire-safety ecosystem.
Also, present at the event, Smt. Madhuri Misal, Hon’ble Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra for Urban Development, Transport, Social Justice, Medical Education and Minority Development, highlighted that Fire safety must be integrated into a building from the design and construction stage, not treated as a compliance requirement after completion. It must cover structural design, electrical and water systems, evacuation planning, firefighting systems and their regular testing and maintenance throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Dr. Bhoyar, added that India’s development must be matched by stronger safety preparedness, with innovation, advanced technology, trained professionals and effective implementation playing a critical role. He urged entrepreneurs, manufacturers, startups and technology companies to invest and manufacture in Maharashtra and take locally developed safety solutions to global markets.
Dr. Bhoyar further said, “Through Make in India and Startup India, let us not only buy technology from the world, we must create technology for the world. Let us build here, manufacture here and create jobs here, while taking Maharashtra-made safety solutions to the world.” Dr. Bhoyar added, “Development and safety must always go hand in hand. As India grows and Maharashtra grows, our responsibility must grow with them. Every building, workplace and public space must be designed not only for growth, but first and foremost for the safety and security of our citizens.”
Speaking at the event, Smt. Misal, stressed that fire safety must move beyond obtaining approvals and certificates to become a continuous process involving regular inspection, testing, maintenance and compliance.
Smt. Misal said, “Fire safety cannot be limited to installing fire extinguishers or obtaining a fire NOC. Safety has to be an ongoing process, with systems regularly inspected, tested and maintained throughout a building’s lifecycle.” Smt. Madhuri Misal further highlighted, “We need to move from a certificate-based approach to a continuous safety and preparedness approach. FSIE provides an important platform for government, industry, architects, engineers, consultants and technology providers to come together and strengthen implementation on the ground.”
FSAI calls for collective action on safety, Addressing the inaugural session, Ms. Rakhi Deepak, National President, Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI), highlighted the role of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and technology in advancing the country’s safety ecosystem. Ms. Rakhi Deepak said, “Safety is a collective responsibility. FSIE brings government, industry, professionals and technology providers together with a shared purpose, to exchange knowledge, build partnerships and contribute to a safer and more secure India.”
Mr Siddharth Saraf, Co-founder and Director, Nova Exhibitions & Conferences, added that, “FSIE 2026 is a platform where technology, expertise and industry leadership come together to advance fire safety and security. Our aim is to enable meaningful dialogue, showcase innovative solutions and strengthen preparedness for a safer and more resilient India.” “Our vision of ‘Surakshit Bharat – a Safe and Secure India’ can become a reality when people, technology and ideas come together. FSIE is an important platform to translate this vision into action, ” added Mr Saraf.
FSIE 2026 brings together the fire, safety and security ecosystem on one platform, featuring 240+ exhibiting brands, 70+ speakers and thousands of industry leaders and decision-makers. FSIE Expo showcases solutions across fire protection, life safety, security, surveillance, building automation and emergency response, with a strong focus on AI, IoT, smart sensors, advanced fire detection and integrated command-and-control systems for faster response and enhanced emergency preparedness.
FSIE 2026 is supported by the Government of Maharashtra and its Urban Development Department (Maha UDD) along with leading government bodies and institutional stakeholders. This support underlines the state’s commitment to advancing fire safety, prevention, emergency preparedness and resilient infrastructure. It also reinforces the need for stronger collaboration between government, industry and technical experts to establish higher safety standards and build a safer, more resilient Maharashtra.
FSIE 2026 aims to strengthen India’s transition from reactive response to proactive prevention, bringing together technology, expertise, knowledge and industry collaboration to support the development of safer, smarter and more resilient buildings and infrastructure.
