Delhi Fire Services to intensify vigil at 19 vulnerable spots
Delhi Police starts receiving applications for licence to sell firecrackers
NEW DELHI: To avert any untoward incidents this Diwali in the Capital, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has identified at least 19 vulnerable spots where fire tenders will keep round-the-clock vigil.
DFS officials, in a meeting this week, emphasised the need to deploy additional vehicles, considering the fact that no fire station is located in close proximity of these 19 areas.
Besides, the fire department has decided to deploy over than half a dozen patrolling bikes for narrow lanes and streets where fire tender vehicles cannot enter easily.
Officials of the fire department said the 19 vulnerable locations are Bara Tooti Chowk, Tilak Nagar, Lajpat Nagar central market, Lal Kuan Chowk, Lahori Gate, Nangloi, South Extension, Sonia Vihar, Mehrauli, Ghitorini Metro station, Alipur police station, Rani Bagh market, DTC depot Katran market, Mahipal Pur Chowk, Sangam Vihar, Mundka metro station, Chhattarpur near Tivoli Garden, Gandhi Nagar market, Azad market. DFS officials emphasised the need to deploy additional vehicles, considering the fact that no fire station is located in close proximity of the 19 vulnerable areas
Atul Garg, Chief Fire Officer, DFS, told Millennium Post that many of the aforementioned areas as congested and vulnerable, while others are located far away from fire stations. “We have also analysed the past call details during Diwali,” he said.
According to the fire department, fire tenders will be deployed in 12 of these places on November 6, whereas all 19 places will see the presence of fire tenders on November 7.
Moreover, firefighters on nine motorcycles equipped with bag pack will be deployed on streets and narrow lanes, while an additional 11 SUVS for fire turnout will also be deployed in 11 places in Delhi.
The meeting on fire safety was attended by more than nine senior officials. Among the points discussed were repairing of vehicles, deployment of units, underground tanks to be kept filled with water during festivals, and availability of equipment like breathing apparatus sets, foam branches and delivery hoses.
“All divisional officers were directed to ensure availability of wireless sets in the highest possible number of units at stations and defective ones should be repaired,” said a fire official.
Sources in DFS said that another point discussed at the meeting was that casual and earned leaves of the personnel, including stopped day off and routine day off of the officers and staff, may not be granted to the personnel on November 6 and 7.
On November 8, only routine offs, excluding stop days off, can be availed.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has started receiving a few applications for sale of firecrackers.
The guidelines for obtaining temporary fireworks license state that no persons below the age of 18 and no person who is intoxicated or of unsound mind shall be granted a license.
The last date of depositing the applications is November 28. “We will also rope in market associations,” said a police officer.