Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said that there are a total 29 fire stations and sub-fire stations in Manipur, out of which 17 are functional and 12 are non-functional and that, in due course of time, fire sub-stations will be expanded to all districts.
He was responding to Congress MLAs Ranjit and Lokeshwar on Wednesday during the ongoing third session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The chief minister said that due to financial limitations, the priority is to make 12 non-functional fire sub-stations functional. Efforts are also being made for expanding new fire stations and substations to cover all parts of Manipur, he added.
Under expanding and modernisation of fire service under 15th Finance Commission of grant in aid, a proposal amounting Rs 93.33 crore has been proposed for making all the non-functional fire sub stations and for improving the infrastructure and equipment has been submitted.
Further, the government has conveyed approval for direct recruitment of 122 different categories of posts and same are under process in the department, he informed.
Also, construction of a temporary garage cum dormitory for opening of new fire stations, procurement of 16 numbers of fire tenders, 16 numbers of portable fire pumps and eight numbers of Bolero Campers for mounting Fire pumps are also under process, the CM informed.
He maintained that the Manipur Fire Service Department has procured nine Foam and carbon dioxide crash tenders and two water bowsers, fifteen portable fire pumps and PPE uniforms, etc.
The vehicle and equipment will bridge the gap of various difficulties and also augment the operational requirement of Helipad duties, oil, combustible fire and major fire as well as the smooth functioning of firefighting and rescue operation during the dry season where water scarcity problem is being faced in the state, he added.
