Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu flags off 46 firefighting vehicles
Shimla, August 11
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday flagged off 46 new quick-response firefighting vehicles for fire units across various districts of the state.
Of these, nine vehicles have been allocated to Shimla district, eight to Kangra, five each to Mandi and Solan, three each to Hamirpur, Una, Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti, two each to Sirmaur, Bilaspur and Kullu and one to Kinnaur.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the state government accords the highest priority to the safety and security of the people. He said that strengthening firefighting and emergency response services was essential to ensure a swift response during disasters and other emergencies. The procurement process for another 37 new firefighting vehicles is currently underway.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the government was laying special emphasis on the expansion and modernisation of firefighting services across the state, for which a budget of Rs 65.33 crore has been approved. He said that during 2024-25, 22 firefighting vehicles have been procured at a cost of Rs 9.60 crore and deployed to the concerned fire units.
The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to ensuring that modern firefighting and emergency response services reach every part of the state. He said that the Fire Services Department was being equipped with modern technology, advanced equipment and trained human resources. He said that, in the coming years, fire stations, fire posts, vehicles, equipment and manpower would be expanded in accordance with the requirements of the state.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the necessary infrastructure for firefighting services was also being strengthened across the state. He said that the construction of the Fire Post building at Bijhri had been completed at a cost of approximately Rs 4.85 crore, while Rs 3.5 crore each was being spent on the construction of Sub-Fire Station buildings at Nadaun and Indora. He added that Rs three crore had also been sanctioned for the construction of a Sub-Fire Station at Kandaghat.
He further said that eight water tenders costing Rs 3.85 crore were being procured for newly established and upgraded sub-fire stations and fire posts.
The Chief Minister said that new fire posts and fire stations were also being established to expand the reach of firefighting services across the state. Tahliwal in Una district has been upgraded to a Sub-Fire Station, while a new fire post has been established in the Changar area of Kangra district.
He said that 754 sanctioned posts of various categories of firefighting personnel have been filled to ensure the smooth functioning of the newly established fire units. He said that the state government was making all possible efforts to strengthen the state's overall emergency response capacity. Work was being undertaken simultaneously on modern vehicles, improved equipment, adequate manpower and robust infrastructure to minimise the loss of life and property in the event of disasters or fire incidents.
Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Surinder Chauhan, Additional Chief Secretary R D Nazeem, Director General (Home Guards) Satwant Atwal, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh and senior officers of the Fire Services Department were present on the occasion.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's good to see infrastructure being expanded, but I wish the government would also focus on preventive measures and awareness campaigns. Many fires in rural areas happen due to lack of knowledge about safety. Vehicles are important, but so is education.
Finally! Our fire stations in Himachal have been running with outdated equipment for years. I remember when there was a big fire in Mandi last year, the response was slow because of lack of vehicles. This will definitely make a difference. Good work!
As someone who has visited Himachal multiple times, it's reassuring to see the state investing in emergency services. The hilly terrain makes firefighting challenging, and modern vehicles are essential. This is a step in the right direction for public safety.
The allocation to Lahaul-Spiti and other remote areas is great. These regions often get ignored when it comes to infrastructure. Understanding that every district has been included shows they're thinking about the whole state, not just the cities. 🙌
Nice to see the investment in fire posts and stations too. It's not just about the vehicles but the complete ecosystem - buildings, water tenders, and staff. With climate change causing more extreme weather, having a strong emergency response system is super important.
V Vikram M