Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh today flagged off 11 new fire fighting vehicles and other equipment of the Manipur Fire Service Department and said that it was part of a precautionary measure taken up to meet any eventuality of fire. The fire fighting vehicles are for Imphal, Thoubal, Moreh, Bishnupur, Tamenglong, Jiribam, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul and Churachandpur.

Speaking as the Chief Guest of a launching cum demonstration ceremony at Khuman Lampak, Main Gate Parking, Shri N. Biren Singh made two appeals to the people including widening of bylanes and local roads to ensure that emergency vehicles like the fire service vehicles can pass through the roads in any event of emergency and to maintain water ponds in every locality.

Emphasizing on the importance of wider bylanes and local roads, the Chief Minister questioned how these enormous vehicles will 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 so that atleast large vehicles like the ones witnessed today can pass through.

We are in a very alarming situation, the Chief Minister said, further highlighting lack of water due to deforestation, drying up of rivers and disappearance of water bodies like ponds and lakes in the State.

During any eventuality of an inferno, we need water to pump from the water bodies like ponds and rivers but our water bodies are dying, he said pointing out the deplorable condition of our rivers including Imphal River. Appealing to the people to come out and actively participate in working for the welfare of the society, Shri N. Biren Singh said it is not the time to criticize others but the time to ask ourselves what we have done and contributed to the society, State. Stating that around 64 vehicles are in service for Fire Service across the State and that 11 new vehicles with new sophisticated modern technology are being introduced today in the State, the Chief Minister further encouraged the firemen to continue their service for the people.

Director Manipur Fire Services Shri Themthing Ngashangva said the Chief Minister has been the backbone in the endeavor to modernize and enhance the capability of the Manipur Fire Services. He said the Water Bouser is being introduced in the State today. The vehicle has 12,000 KL capacity, he said adding that due to lack of water sources especially in Imphal city area, this vehicle had become very essential to control fire. Foam Co2 and Crash Tender is the other vehicle being launched today, he said adding that this is the equipment which can deal with situations arising out of inflammable substances like accidents involving oil tankers, gas bottling plants, etc.

Now with the introduction of the two equipment, we are at par with any other fire service in the country, he added. The Director also said that altogether 80 proximity fire suits among other things have also been introduced today. The launching cum demonstration ceremony was attended by MP Rajya Sabha Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, Ministers Shri L. Susindro Singh Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh, Shri H. Dingo Singh, MLAs Shri K. Robindro Singh and L Rameshwor Meetei, DGP Shri P Doungel, ADGP Shri Clay Khongsai among others.