22 towns in Doaba sans fire tenders

Ashok Kaura

Phagwara, March 17

Farmers and traders of Doaba, including Phagwara, Goraya, Phillaur, Nakodar, Noormahal and Banga, among others, have suffered numerous loss due to shortage of fire brigades and lack of firefighting equipment with the department concerned in the region.

On Friday, dozens of shops, kiosks and shanties which were reportedly gutted in Phillaur could have been saved, if the Phillaur Municipal Committee had a fire tender.

It has been learnt that the Municipal Councils of 22 towns, including Phillaur, Goraya, Banga, Talwara, Mukerian, Tanda, Garrdhiwala, Bhogpur, Mahilpur, Sham Chaurasi, Garhshankar, Balachaur, Rahon, Noormahal, Sultanpur Lodhi, Dhilwan, Bholath, Begowal, Alawalpur, Adampur, Lohian and Shahkot have been sans fire tender.

However, the Municipal Committees of Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala have eight fire tenders, Hoshiarpur (two), Nawanshahr (one), Kapurthala (one), besides Phagwara Municipal Corporation has four fire tenders with them.

Amar Singh, a farmer said, “Wheat and paddy are harvested in panic as fire has destroyed standing crops various times in the region.”

MP Singh Goraya, a resident of Goraya said, “We spend days in fear, especially during festivals and harvesting season.”

Meanwhile, the above stated towns rely entirely on big cities, including Jalandhar, Phagwara and Ludhiana, in case a major fire incident takes place.

An official of the Phagwara Municipal Corporation on condition of anonymity, said Phagwara has four fire tenders, however, shortage of firefighters and drivers has been a matter of concern.

He said, “There is only one firefighter in Phagwara instead of 14 posts and three drivers in place of five. Phagwara fire brigade service is serving several towns, besides around two thousand villages. Over 160 fire incidents were reported last year.”

When contacted PPCC general secretary Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary said he would try his best to provide firefighting services and equipments in small towns.