Varanasi: Special security and fire safety arrangements have been put in place in Kashi for Diwali celebrations. The fire department has prepared a dedicated action plan to ensure quick response to any fire-related emergency during the festive period.Fire brigade vehicles will not remain only at fire stations and will be deployed at major intersections and sensitive locations across the city to reduce response time.The district administration has identified 29 locations in urban and rural areas for safe and regulated sale of firecrackers. Temporary firecracker shops are operating at these sites from Nov 6 to 8.Chief fire officer Anand Singh Rajput said the fire department, police administration and municipal corporation have made coordinated arrangements for the festival. Municipal corporation water tankers, pump sets and staff will also be deployed to support emergency response operations.Fire tenders equipped with modern firefighting tools and trained personnel will remain stationed round the clock at 14 key locations. Special deployment will be made at Sigra, Shivpur, Pandeypur Crossing, Awas Vikas Parishad Paharia, Badalalpur police station ground, Sampurnanand University ground, Machhodari Park, Godowlia Crossing, Malviya Crossing in Lanka, Bhikharipur Tiraha, Manduadih, Chowk police station and Ramnagar police station, among other key points.Each fire brigade vehicle will be equipped with water tanks, foam extinguishers and modern firefighting equipment. Fire officers and personnel will work in shifts to ensure 24-hour preparedness during the festival.The administration has made firefighting arrangements mandatory at all temporary firecracker shops. Each shop must keep fire extinguishers, sand-filled buckets and adequate water arrangements. A campaign is also being conducted to prevent illegal storage and sale of firecrackers.
