The State Government on Thursday admitted that the number of fire station, vehicles and strength of staff were not in accordance with the norms of fire services in the State, particularly in twin cities.
Replying to a question raised by Akbaruddin Owaisi during Question Hour in the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Home Minister P Sabitha Indira Reddy said that presently there were 252 Fire Stations in the State including 13 Fire Stations in the twin cities. She said these fire stations were working round the clock. However, she said that as per the norms there should be one fire station within a radius of 10 kilometers and therefore, more fire stations were required in the city.
The Home Minister said that that the government has in principle accepted the proposal for sanction of 16 new fire stations in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation jurisdiction in three phases in addition to the existing 13 fire stations. The fire stations would be set up at the State Secretariat, Assembly, High Court, Salarjung Museum, Maheshwaram and Madhapur. Six more stations have been proposed at different places including Chandrayangutta, Uppal, LB Nagar and Mehdipatnam. She said fire stations would also be set up at 10 market yards in the State.
Sabith Indira Reddy said that Rs 152 crore has been sanctioned for the Fire Services Department under non-plan and Rs 32 crore under plan expenditure. She said that the department has spent Rs 17 crore in the last three years for modernisation of equipments. She said Andhra Pradesh has been collecting the lowest fee of Rs 10 per sft for issuing NOC on Fire Safety from the high-rise buildings.
Not satisfied with the minister’s reply, MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi said that as per the norms, the city should have one fire station for a population 50,000. However, the norms have been violated. He said there 20 government buildings including BRK Bhavan, the Secretriat and Gruha Kalpa which lack fire safety equipments. He also complained that the there was only one fire station at Moghalpura for the entire Old City and this too lack re-fuelling facility. He pointed out to Speaker Nadendla Manohar that even the Legislative Assembly do not have a fire station.
Congress MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy too pointed out the lapses in the power safety equipments and measures. He complained of lack of required equipment, dry chemicals and staff for the Fire Safety Department.
However, the Home Minister said that the government has accorded sanction of six new fire stations in the first phase. It is also proposed to open or upgrade eight fire stations in the GHMC area under the 13th Finance Commission grants to enhance the fire fighting and rescue capabilities to save the public property. (INN)