The Times of India 14.09.2010
Highrises beyond reach, MCG to set up modern fire station
GURGAON: The fast-growing city of Gurgaon with its faster-growing highrises has prompted the Municipal Corporation to set up a state-of-the-art fire station in the industrial belt of Manesar.
With as many as nine fire cases reported from the city each day, the proposed station will support the existing four stations of the fire department, which holds a staff of 112 personnel.
According to district fire officer H S Sihag, the new fire station will be equipped with all modern equipment and serve a 20-km area.
“The hydraulic platforms available with us can reach a height of 42 metres. But today we have buildings in Gurgaon which are as high as 89 metres,” said Sihag.
He added that the fire department has acquired a new computerized hydraulic platform measuring 100 metres, with an investment of Rs 2 crore. The fire station would also add six fire tenders to its fleet. At present, fire emergencies in Manesar are handled privately by two industrial giantsHonda and Maruti.
“There are two private fire stations in Manesar, but the administration must now step forward to fulfill the needs. Although we have efficiently covered the entire area with the existing apparatus for many years, an extra fire station is needed to strengthen our force,” said Sihag.
The fire station will be established at the future ‘industrial model township’ of HSIIDC in Manesar.
Municipal commissioner R K Khullar said the process to set up the new fire station would begin as soon as the civic body is allotted the three-acre land allotted to it. “We have also put forward our demand for vehicles and machines. The requests have been sent to the state government,” he said.
HSIIDC representatives say land allotment is likely to be done within this month.
