From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 20: After India’s financial capital of Mumbai, Karnataka’s capital city of Bengaluru became the second city in the country to have a 90-meter tall aerial ladder platform vehicle for the State’s Fire Services.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who dedicated the aerial ladder platform vehicle in Bengaluru on Thursday, said: ``Today marks an important day for the development of Bengaluru as well as infusing a biggest strength for the Department of Fire Services.’’

The Chief Minister also flagged off ``Green Deepavali,’’ a public awareness campaign on the stairs of Vidhana Soudha.

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,’’ he said adding: The new ladder will be put into use in BBMP limits.

``The whole world is growing on a big scale and it is a most essential service especially in all important metropolitans without which building permission is not given.,’’ Bommai said.

The Chief Minister said Fire Safety and its rules are equally important. It was essential for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to have all facilities to reach hi-rise buildings during an emergency.

Ready to Serve

The State Government is capable of solving problems, he said pointed out that 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,’’ he said.

Bommai said 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 governments intention is o 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, he said. Along with modernisation and increasing numbers, even training and empowerment are also given importance. The SDRF had helped during the recent floods in different districts, he added.

The Chief Minster 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,’’ he said.

Bommai 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, he said.

The Chief Minster 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.

``I will compliment Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Home Department and senior officials of Department of Fire Services for bringing this ladder to Bengaluru,’’ he said.

Potholes being filled up:

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 Chief Minister 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.

Earlier, the Chief Minister went in the newly dedicated aerial ladder platform along with others.

Asked about his experience, Bommai said: "I was surprised to see the design of Vidhana Soudha dome. In those days, they had taken this stone to the top of the building. I was elated to see the Ashoka Pillar from a close angle. The solace is that with the new ladder it is possible to save lives of people in fire mishaps.

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.

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.