Ludhiana: A day after a major fire in Jaspal Bangar, industrialists have sought the setting up of at least two new fire stations along the Sherpur Chowk-Sahnewal industrial corridor, citing concerns over emergency response time in one of the city’s largest manufacturing belts.In a representation to MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, the Dhandari Industrial Welfare Association urged the Punjab govt to strengthen fire safety infrastructure across the southern and eastern parts of Ludhiana, where thousands of industrial units, warehouses and commercial establishments operate.Association president Satnam Singh Makkar said the proposed fire stations should be strategically located so that fire tenders can reach industrial clusters quickly. The stretch covers Dhandari Kalan, Industrial Area-C, Jaspal Bangar, Lohara, Giaspura, Kanganwal and Sahnewal, besides adjoining villages and industrial pockets.He said delays caused by distance and traffic congestion could hamper firefighting operations, especially during major incidents. The situation becomes more challenging when fire tenders have to leave the site to refill water tanks before returning.“Even a small fire can escalate into a major disaster if firefighting equipment and water supplies do not reach on time,” Makkar said, adding that such incidents can result in heavy losses of machinery, raw material and finished goods besides threatening workers’ safety.The association has demanded that the proposed stations be equipped with sufficient fire tenders, trained personnel and modern firefighting equipment, with round-the-clock availability. It has also sought water-refilling facilities at the stations and additional water points across the industrial belt.The industrial body has further called for an audit of fire hydrants and emergency infrastructure in vulnerable industrial areas and sought interim arrangements to improve access to firefighting services until new stations become operational.Stating that Ludhiana’s industrial sector contributes significantly to employment, exports, GST and tax revenues, the association said fire safety was not merely an industrial concern but also a matter of protecting workers, livelihoods and the state’s economy.The association has also appealed to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Industries Minister Aman Arora to prioritise the demand and conduct a survey to assess fire-safety requirements in the belt.WHY INDUSTRY IS PUSHING FOR NEW FIRE STATIONSDemand comes a day after the Jaspal Bangar fireProposal for two new fire stationsCovers belt from Sherpur Chowk to SahnewalThousands of industrial units operate in the zoneConcern over delays caused by distance and trafficIndustry seeks dedicated water-refilling facilitiesCalls for audit of fire hydrants and emergency infrastructure
