Gangtok, Mar 10: Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged off 13 new fire tenders at Ridge Park in Gangtok on Monday, strengthening Sikkim’s emergency response infrastructure. The procurement was funded through contributions from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the 15th Finance Commission.

The event was attended by Chief Secretary R Telang, Director General of Police (DGP) Akshay Sachdeva, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, Fire Services Director Khilbarna Gurung, and other senior officials from the Sikkim Police and state government.

In his address, the Chief Minister lauded the Fire Services Department for expanding its fleet and emphasized the importance of a well-equipped police force in maintaining law and order. He announced the launch of two new funding initiatives—the Special Investigation Fund and the Special Traffic Management Fund—to enhance police operations.

Tamang also encouraged greater involvement of senior officials in field operations and expressed confidence in the leadership of the newly appointed DGP. He proposed that the Sikkim Police football team represent the state in the Golden Jubilee celebrations and pledged additional funding, including the recruitment of technical staff to support the team.

DGP Akshay Sachdeva highlighted the significance of the new fire tenders in replacing the department’s aging fleet. He praised the fire department’s role in handling emergencies and natural disasters and underscored the importance of ongoing training programs to enhance operational efficiency. He also announced plans to establish two new fire stations in Jalipool and Meli to improve service accessibility.

The event featured a drill demonstration by Fire and SDRF personnel and a presentation of the updated fire anthem. Following a religious observance, the 13 fire tenders were officially commissioned. Fire Services Director Khilbarna Gurung delivered a technical report, while Additional Chief Fire Officer Indra Kumar Rai proposed the vote of thanks.