Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged off 13 newly acquired fire tenders at Ridge Park, Gangtok, in a ceremony attended by senior officials, including Chief Secretary R Telang, Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, and Director of Fire Services Khilbarna Gurung.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister lauded the Fire Services Department for strengthening its fleet and stressed the importance of an active and well-equipped police force in ensuring law and order. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing policing standards and announced two new funding initiatives: the Special Investigation Fund and the Special Traffic Management Fund, aimed at improving operational efficiency.
The Chief Minister also underscored the role of sports in police welfare, proposing that the Sikkim Police football team represent the state during the Golden Jubilee celebrations, with additional funding allocated for the team’s development. He suggested hiring a technical team to manage the team, allowing players to focus on high-profile tournaments.
Highlighting the collaborative effort behind the procurement of the fire tenders, the CM credited funding from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, and the 15th Finance Commission. He urged the Fire Services Department to continue improving public service during emergencies, emphasizing the vital role of the Police Department in maintaining social stability.
DGP Akshay Sachdeva welcomed the addition of the 13 fire tenders, noting that they replace an aging fleet. He praised the department’s role in disaster response and fire management, reaffirming the commitment to enhancing training programs and adopting modern techniques. He also announced the construction of two new fire stations at Jalipool and Meli to strengthen fire safety infrastructure across Sikkim.
The event featured a fire drill demonstration by the Fire Services and SDRF personnel, along with a newly updated fire anthem reflecting the local context. Following religious observances, the newly commissioned fire tenders were officially inducted into service.
Earlier, Fire Services Director Khilbarna Gurung presented a technical report on the department’s progress, while Additional Chief Fire Officer Indra Kumar Rai delivered the vote of thanks, marking the conclusion of the event.
