Syed Tahir Bukhari
BARAMULLA, July 22: Locals are up in arms against the authorities for failing to set up fire stations in the vulnerable areas across the district, where repeated incidents of fire have caused huge losses of property and life.
According to sources, the district has only four fire tenders for 51 villages, which are pathetically short to meet any eventuality. Abdul Hamid of Aloosa said," there are two blocks in Bandipora, Aloosa and Argam.
In 2008, authorities had sanctioned fire stations in these two blocks of the district, unfortunately stations were not yet set up."
"It shows the callous attitude of the present government towards, 'peace, progress and development. and above all, the safety of the lives and property of the people" Hamid alleged.
Local resident of Argam Sijad Ahmad Mir said that, the government had sanctioned few fire stations but work on them is going on at snail's pace, which will take years to complete, it seems that government is not serious in the development of Bandipora district.
"Many villages including Malangam, Khenusa, Ashtangooo, Arin, Sumla, Mulkhuihama, Garoora, Quil and other places also don't have any fire service station Sijad said.
Ironically, most of the villages are inaccessible to fire tenders as the roads links are either narrow or in a bad condition. In case of any emergency, the villagers wholly depend on fire tenders and personnel from main town of Bandipora.
According to the officials of Fire and Emergency department, one fire tender is required for a population of above 40,000.
This way, only the fire station at Bandipora town requires five fire tenders.
The norms further state that more than 20 employees should be deployed against each fire tender.
"We have submitted proposals and all requirements have been fulfilled, but it is up to the government to establish sanctioned station for which we have been waiting for years," official said. |
