Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
C
hief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said today was an important day for the development of Bengaluru as well as infusing a biggest strength for the Department of Fire Services.
Speaking after dedicating 90 meter Aerial Ladder Platform vehicle on behalf of Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services and flagging of ‘Green Deepavali’, a public awareness campaign on the stairs of Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday, he said the 90 meter aerial ladder platform is a most essential and important facility and this modern ladder will work as a real friend in need.
The whole world is growing in a big scale and it is a most essential service especially in all important metropolitans without which building permission is not given.
Fire Safety and its rules are equally important. It was essential for the Department of Fire & Emergency Services to have all facilities to reach hi-rise buildings during an emergency.
Ready to serve
The CM said till now,the Bengaluru Fire Department had only a 50 meter ladder and the state capital is growing fast both horizontally and vertically.
After Mumbai City,Bengaluru has become the second city in the whole country to have a 90 meter Aerial Ladder Platform system.
Efforts were made to procure this in the last two and a half years and while he was the Home Minister the grants had been released.
But it got delayed due to some reasons such as Covid-19 and production problems.The new ladder will be put into use in BBMP limits, he added.
The Government is capable of solving problems
Bommai said Bengaluru City is growing fast and several definitions are made without understanding issues.
The recent rains had created floods only in two constituencies and not in all 26 Assembly segments.
But it was projected as if the whole Bengaluru City had submerged.In fact,Bengaluru is an important city both in national and international level and the government is capable of solving any problems of the city.It is important to present facts correctly.
There are over 100 personnel working in SDRF to deal with flood situations.The State Capital has both NDRF and SDRF teams and they are capable of rescuing anyone from any part of the city.
The government had already released Rs.20 crore to buy the new equipment and another Rs.20 crore was released recently.
The government’s intention is to strengthen SDRF. Instructions are given to form another two companies of SDRF for which ex-servicemen will be appointed.
Already,over 100 retired defense personnel were appointed and more personnel will be recruited directly for the proposed two companies.
Along with modernisation and increasing numbers,even training and empowerment are also given given importance.
The SDRF had helped during the recent floods in different districts,he added.
He said permission has been given to strengthen the Department of Fire Services by sanctioning various schemes and one of them was the procurement of 90 meter aerial ladder platform.
This department rescues people in any fire mishap that occurs in any corner of the city all the 24 hours.
The CM said 5,000 new vehicles are added to the fleet of vehicles daily whereas the roads have remained the same.
Despite this,the police department has been managing traffic by using several technologies including synchronizing for free flow of traffic.
As many as 7500 cameras are installed under the Nirbhaya scheme and it will be used to address the problems of traffic density and for women safety.They work on artificial intelligence and revolves 360 degree.
Steps are taken to fill up potholes across the city. New potholes have emerged due to incessant rain.Even they too are being filled up on the war-footing.
It was possible to do quality works in case rain reduces.Whatever repair works done would not last long during continuous rain.But all the potholes will be filled up,Bommai said.
The CM wished the people on the occasion of Deepavali festival and asked them to celebrate by using green crackers.
The citizens must use the crackers of less than 125 decibels.Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Ministers,Kota Srinivasa Pujari,S.T.Somashekar, Shivaram Hebbar, MP P.C.Mohan,MLA Niranjan Kumar,Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) Rajneesh Goel and DGP (Fire Services) A.K.Pandey were present.
