CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Flags Off 14 New Fire Tenders Worth Rs. 6.70 Crore; Announces 700 Home Guard Recruitments.
Shimla:
In a significant boost to the state’s firefighting capabilities, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off 14 new fire tenders from Choura Maidan, Shimla. The fire tenders, procured at a cost of Rs. 6.70 crore, have been deployed to various strategic locations across Himachal Pradesh, including remote and high-risk areas.
The newly inducted fire tenders will be stationed at the Fire Services Training Centre in Baldeyan and at other centres in Deha, Ubadesh, Nerwa, and Theog (Shimla district), Dharampur and Thunag (Mandi district), Kaza (Lahaul-Spiti), Shahpur and Indora (Kangra district), and Nadaun (Hamirpur district).
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasized that the allocation of fire tenders was made keeping in mind the specific needs of both remote and densely populated regions, ensuring a swift and effective response to fire-related emergencies.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s fire services infrastructure, CM Sukhu announced that Rs. 23 crore has been earmarked for the purchase of additional fire tenders in the near future.
“For the financial year 2025-26, the state government has sanctioned Rs. 4.24 crore for equipping new and upgraded fire stations, and an additional Rs. 7 crore for the construction of departmental buildings at Nadaun and Indora,” he said.
In a major step to improve emergency response capabilities, the Chief Minister also revealed that the recruitment process for 700 Home Guard positions will begin shortly. This move is expected to significantly augment the manpower needed for disaster management and firefighting efforts across the state.
The flagging-off ceremony was attended by Shimla MLA Harish Janartha, Chairman of the HP Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Nardev Singh Kanwar, Additional Director General and Director of Fire Services Satwant Atwal, Chief Fire Officer Sanjeev Kumar, and several other senior departmental officials.
The addition of new fire tenders and upcoming recruitments underline the Himachal Pradesh government’s proactive approach toward public safety and disaster preparedness.
