Srinagar, April 27: Former Deputy Mayor SMC and J&K People’s Conference State Youth President Sheikh Mohammad Imran on Wednesday commended the efforts put forth by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and the associated firefighting teams for their prompt and swift response with regards to numerous fire emergencies including Nishat & elsewhere across Srinagar city.
In a statement issued to the media, Imran said the administrative wings involved in dealing with fire emergencies are significantly responsible for saving our lives & properties but the pleas for undertaking a comprehensive Fire Safety Audit of Srinagar city, especially the narrow lane vicinities of Shahr-e-Khaas, needs to be give a serious consideration.
“Recent nocturnal and even daytime fire incidents have wreaked havoc on the people mostly belonging to the middle-class section who predominantly live in congested areas of the old city. Since the beginning of this year, 10 people have lost their lives and property worth crores has been devastated in these ominous fire incidents. While administration has remained highly vigil to come to their rescue but in absence of requisite infrastructural facilities the efficiency rate to pacify raging fires goes mediocre. Therefore, the need for a Fire Safety Audit of Srinagar either under Smart City project or Srinagar Municipal Corporation, inclusive of all localities and colonies, must be done at an earliest in order to avoid further loss to life and property,” he said.
Imran demanded that the government must install high-flow fire hydrants near every mosque in all SMC wards along with the rural peripheries of Srinagar that will effectively help to abate huge losses to the public and private property. “In its first phase, the administration must install at least 100 fire hydrants with necessary equipment near Mosques, Temples and Gurudwaras in every SMC Ward. A special budget needs to be allocated for such installations besides providing fire-fidgeting equipment to local community centres that will help in preliminary firefighting till F&ES personnel arrive to such vicinities,” he said.
Imran asserted that fire-fighting infrastructure should be built on water-based fire protection systems in the city that needs to be recurrently inspected, tested, and kept under the changing maintenance plans. “Moment the fire bell rings, coordinated teams of police, SDRF & Medical Department along with the ambulances, besides Fire and Emergency personnel, must remain present at the actual fire site to cater all the requirements,” he added.
Furthermore, Imran emphasized that Fire Safety Audit must be carried out while keeping the exact indicators and controls in consideration that will ultimately warrant its effectual performance which needs to be accurate and reliable.
“I along with my team will feel honoured to contribute in making Srinagar city free from rampant devastating fire incidents. In the coming days, we will present a comprehensive memorandum for fire prevention measures to the competent authorities and also raise awareness among the people to ardently follow the government guidelines like maintaining fire gaps during constructing houses and buildings. The Mohalla Committees also need to install fire extinguishers & train its youth to deal with such hapless situations till F&ES arrive on the spot,” he said.
Imran also requested Deputy Commissioner Srinagar to commence an audit of the compensations given to fire victims for further improvisation & facilitate the rehabilitation of the poorest of poor in such incidents.
