Himachal Pradesh Upgrades Firefighting Network with 46 Quick-Response Vehicles.
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday flagged off 46 new quick-response firefighting vehicles for deployment across various districts, underlining the state government’s focus on strengthening emergency preparedness and ensuring faster response to fire and other disaster-related incidents.
Of the 46 vehicles, nine have been allocated to Shimla district, eight to Kangra, five each to Mandi and Solan, and three each to Hamirpur, Una, Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti. Sirmaur, Bilaspur and Kullu will receive two vehicles each, while one vehicle has been allocated to Kinnaur.
Speaking on the occasion, Sukhu said the safety and security of people remained the government’s highest priority. He said modernising firefighting and emergency response infrastructure was essential for reducing the loss of life and property during disasters. The procurement process for another 37 firefighting vehicles is already underway, he added.
The Chief Minister said the government had approved a budget of Rs. 65.33 crore for the expansion and modernisation of firefighting services across the state. During 2024-25, 22 firefighting vehicles were procured at a cost of Rs. 9.60 crore and deployed to fire units.
He said the Fire Services Department was being equipped with modern technology, advanced equipment and trained personnel. Fire stations, fire posts, vehicles, equipment and manpower would be expanded in the coming years according to local requirements.
Infrastructure development is also being undertaken at several locations. The Fire Post building at Bijhri has been completed at a cost of around Rs. 4.85 crore, while Rs. 3.5 crore each is being spent on Sub-Fire Station buildings at Nadaun and Indora. Rs. 3 crore has been sanctioned for a Sub-Fire Station at Kandaghat.
Eight water tenders costing Rs. 3.85 crore are also being procured for newly established and upgraded fire stations and posts. Tahliwal in Una has been upgraded to a Sub-Fire Station, while a new fire post has been established in Changar, Kangra.
The Chief Minister said 754 sanctioned posts of various categories of firefighting personnel had been filled to ensure the effective functioning of newly established fire units.
Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation 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 Fire Services Department officials were present.
