There ought to be one fire station within a radius of 10 kilometres - a norm that the twin cities fall very short of.
The state government, on Thursday, admitted that the number of fire stations and vehicles, and the strength of fire-fighting staff, were not in accordance with the norms in AP, particularly in the twin cities.
Replying to a question raised by Akbaruddin Owaisi during Question Hour in the state Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Home Minister P Sabitha Indira Reddy said that currently, there are 252 fire stations in AP, including 13 fire stations in the twin cities. She said that these fire stations work round the clock.
However, she said that as per the norms, there ought to be one fire station within a radius of 10 kilometres - and that therefore, more fire stations were required in the city.
The Home Minister said that the government has, in principle, accepted the proposal for a sanction of 16 new fire stations in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation jurisdiction, in 3 phases; in addition to the existing 13 fire stations.
The fire stations would be set up at the State Secretariat, Assembly, High Court, Salarjung Museum, Maheshwaram and Madhapur.
6 more stations have been proposed at different places, including Chandrayangutta, Uppal, L B Nagar and Mehdipatnam.
Fire stations would also be set up at 10 market yards in AP, Sabitha said.
Sabitha Indira Reddy said that Rs. 152 crore has been sanctioned for the Fire Services Department under non-plan expenditure and Rs. 32 crore under plan expenditure.
She said that the department has spent Rs. 17 crore in the last 3 years, for the modernisation of equipment.
She said that Andhra Pradesh has been collecting the lowest fee of Rs. 10 per sft, for issuing NOCs on fire safety, from high-rise buildings.
Not satisfied with the minister's reply, MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi said that as per the norms, the city must have one fire station for a population of 50,000, and that these norms have been violated.
He said there are 20 government buildings - including B R K Bhavan, the Secretriat and Gruha Kalpa - that lack fire safety equipment.
He also complained that there was only one fire station at Moghalpura for the entire Old City, and that this, too, lacks a re-fuelling facility.
He pointed out to Speaker Nadendla Manohar that even the Legislative Assembly does not have a fire station.
Congress MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy too pointed out the lapses in the power safety equipment and measures. He complained of the lack of required equipment, dry chemicals and staff for the fire safety department.
However, the Home Minister said that the government has accorded sanction of 6 new fire stations in the first phase. It is also proposed to open or upgrade 8 fire stations in the GHMC area, under the 13th Finance Commission grants, to enhance fire fighting and rescue capabilities to save public property, she said. (INN)