Encroachment in urban areas worries CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, September 14 2022: As part of precautionary measures taken up to meet any eventuality of fire, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday flagged off 11 new fire fighting vehicles and other equipment of Manipur Fire Service Department during a launch cum demonstration ceremony held at Khuman Lampak main gate parking, here.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Biren emphasised on the importance of wider by-lanes and local roads and questioned how emergency vehicles like the fire service vehicles would drive through the narrow by-lanes of localities in Imphal and the district headquarters in the event of a fire or emergency.

The narrowing of the by-lanes due to illegal encroachments would not only prevent the fire brigade from passing through but also cause the fire to spread easily due to the close proximities of the houses.

As such, he appealed to the people to stop encroaching on open spaces and allow widening of by-lanes and local roads so as to ensure that these enormous vehicles can pass through the roads in any event of emergency.

Stating that the government cannot act alone and need the people to get involved, the CM further said that the government cannot be blamed for everything.

He then urged the local clubs, Meira Paibi, social workers and the general public to come out voluntarily and ensure that their local bylanes are widened so that at least large vehicles like the ones witnessed today can pass through.

He also urged for maintaining ponds in every locality, pointing out that during any eventuality of an inferno, we need water to pump from the water bodies like ponds and rivers.

However, the water bodies are drying, he said and further highlighted lack of water due to deforestation, drying up of rivers and disappearance of water bodies like ponds and lakes in the state, lack of understanding on part of the people despite repeated attempts by the government regarding the importance of the aforementioned.

"We are in a very alarming situation," the Chief Minister said, while pointing out the deplorable condition of our rivers including Imphal River.

The CM then said that as the monsoon season has now come to an end, the weather will soon become windy.

Thus, to prevent any fire incident, the state government has taken up key precautionary measures.

At present, there are around 64 vehicles in service for Fire Service across the state.

The addition of the 11 new vehicles with new sophisticated modern technology on Wednesday will help save human lives and prevent property damages in the state during any fire emergency, he added and encouraged the firemen to continue their service for the people.

Appealing to the people to come out and actively participate in working for the welfare of the society, Biren affirmed that the government is there to protect the people and public property.

It is time for all concerned to take up their respective responsibility instead of sitting down for a discussion on TV and criticising the government and those out to catch drugs.

Time has come to ask ourselves what we have done and contributed to the society and the state as a whole, he said.

Meanwhile, responding to questions from the media, CM Biren stated that the government takes the demand of STDC seriously.

However, Manipur is a complex society and the government needs to consider all of the communities inhabiting the state.

Nonetheless, the government will continue to do what is best for all of the people in the state, he maintained.

In his speech, Manipur Fire Services director Themthing Ngashangva said the CM has been the backbone in the endeavour to modernise and enhance the capability of the Manipur Fire Services.

Regarding the two Water Bousers which were introduced on Wednesday, he stated that the vehicle has 12,000 KL capacity and emphasised that the vehicle had become essential in controlling fire incidents, considering lack of water sources especially in Imphal city area.

The nine Foam Co2 and Crash Tenders, which were also launched during the event, have equipment which can deal with situations arising out of inflammable substances-like accidents, involving oil tankers, gas bottling plants, etc.

With the introduction of these two equipment, the state's Fire Services is now at par with any other fire service stations in the country, he stated.

The director also said that altogether 80 proximity fire suits among other things were also provided during the function.

The launch cum demonstration ceremony was attended by MP Rajya Sabha Leishemba Sanajaoba; ministers L Susindro Singh, Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh and H Dingo Singh; MLAs K Robindro Singh and L Rameshwor Meetei; DGP P Doungel and ADGP Clay Khongsai among others.

Later, a demonstration of the newly launched vehicles was carried out.

The fire fighting vehicles are for Imphal, Thoubal, Moreh, Bishnupur, Tamenglong, Jiribam, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts.

Two Foam & carbon dioxide Crash Tenders and one Water Bouser will be for Imphal; one Water Bouser for Thoubal; and eight Foam & Carbon dioxide Crash Tenders will be for Moreh, Bishnupur, Tamenglong, Jiribam, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul and Churachandpur.

Comment