Building a Safer State with Upgraded Fire Infrastructure and Fleet

CM Sukhu today flagged off 46 new quick-response firefighting vehicles to strengthen emergency services across Himachal Pradesh. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister emphasized that citizen safety remains the state’s highest priority, making rapid disaster response and modern infrastructure essential. The newly deployed fleet is distributed strategically across districts: Shimla receives nine vehicles, Kangra eight, Mandi and Solan five each, with three assigned to Hamirpur, Una, Chamba, and Lahaul-Spiti. Additionally, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, and Kullu get two vehicles each, while Kinnaur receives one, with procurement already underway for an additional 37 units.

This fleet expansion is part of a larger ₹65.33 crore blueprint dedicated to modernizing and expanding the state’s Fire Services Department. During the 2024–25 period alone, 22 firefighting vehicles worth ₹9.60 crore were acquired and deployed. Chief Minister Sukhu reiterated the government’s commitment to equipping fire units state-wide with advanced technology, modern apparatus, and specialized training. Looking ahead, the state plans to continually scale fire stations, posts, and equipment in line with evolving local requirements.

Simultaneously, substantial investments are being poured into physical infrastructure. Construction of the new Fire Post building at Bijhri has been completed at a cost of approximately ₹4.85 crore, while ₹3.5 crore each is being spent on new Sub-Fire Station buildings in Nadaun and Indora. Another ₹3 crore has been sanctioned for a facility at Kandaghat, accompanied by ₹3.85 crore allocated for eight new water tenders. To expand service reach, Tahliwal in Una has been upgraded to a Sub-Fire Station, and a new fire post has been set up in Kangra’s Changar area. To ensure these units operate seamlessly, 754 sanctioned personnel posts have been filled, creating a fully staffed, well-equipped defense against potential disasters.