Sukhu flags off 14 fire engines procured for Rs 6.70 crore

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off 14 new fire engines purchased at a cost of Rs 6.70 crore from Chaura Maidan in Shimla. These vehicles were dispatched to the Training Centre at Baldeyan and other centres at Deha, Ubadesh, Nerwa and Theog in Shimla district, Dharampur and Thunag in Mandi district, Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti, Shahpur and Indora in Kangra district and Nadaun in Hamirpur district.

The Chief Minister said that the new fire engines had been allocated keeping in view the needs of both remote and densely-populated areas, ensuring a timely response to fire-related emergencies. He added that Rs 23 crore had been allocated for the purchase of additional fire engines to further enhance their fleet.

Sukhu reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening fire services and said that adequate financial resources were being provided to the department. He added that for the financial year 2025-26, Rs 4.24 crore had been sanctioned for equipping and upgrading fire stations, while Rs 7 crore had been allocated for the construction of departmental buildings at Nadaun and Indora.

He said that the process for the recruitment of 700 Home Guards would be initiated shortly to augment manpower and improve emergency response capabilities.