Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday flagged off 11 newly procured Fire Brigade vehicles and equipment of the Manipur Fire Service Department to different district headquarters of the state from Khuman Lampak, Main Gate Parking, Imphal.
The vehicles and equipment include nine foam and CO2 crash tender, two water bowsers and portable fire pumps.
The fire fighting vehicles are for Imphal, Thoubal, Moreh, Bishnupur, Tamenglong, Jiribam, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul and Churachandpur, the chief minister's office said in a Facebook post.
Speaking at the launching cum demonstration ceremony, CM Biren said that around 64 fire service vehicles are in service across the state, CM Biren expressed hope that the 11 new vehicles with new sophisticated modern technology will boost the capabilities of the Manipur Fire Service.
"Delighted to have 9 Foam & CO2 Crash Tender, 2 Water Bowser and Portable Fire Pumps inducted into the Manipur Fire Service today. The induction of these machineries will give a profound boost to the capabilities of the Manipur Fire Service," CM Biren said in a tweet.
CM Biren also emphasised on the importance of wider bylanes and local roads and appealed to the people to widen bylanes and local roads to ensure that emergency vehicles like the fire service vehicles can pass through the roads in any event of emergency.
"How will these enormous vehicles drive through the narrow bylanes of our localities in Imphal and the district headquarters in the event of a fire or emergency. The government cannot act alone, we need the people to get involved," the chief minister said, urging the people to come out voluntarily and ensure that their local bylanes are widened.
Highlighting lack of water due to deforestation, drying up of rivers and disappearance of water bodies like ponds and lakes in the state, CM Biren said, the state is in a "very alarming" situation.
"During any eventuality of an inferno, we need water to pump from the ponds and rivers but our water bodies are dying" the chief minister said pointing out the deplorable condition of the rivers, including Imphal River.
The launching cum demonstration ceremony was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, Ministers L Susindro Singh, Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh, H Dingo Singh, MLAs K Robindro Singh and L Rameshwor Meetei, DGP P Doungel, ADGP Clay Khongsai, among others.
