Centre releases Rs 99 crore for upgrading Fire Brigade services

Bangalore, Aug 25 (UNI) The Centre has released Rs 99 crore in response to a Rs 323 crore scheme submitted by Karnataka to upgrade the Fire Brigade services and start new ones across the state, Home Minister M P Prakash informed today.

Talking to reporters here, he said fire fighting centres need latest equipment and machinery to provide effective service in times of emergencies.

He said the government planned to set up six more fire stations in the new layouts of the city, besides 28 stations in different taluk centres across the state.

Mr Prakash said the goverment was also implementing the Rs 350 crore B-Trac project for better management of the traffic in the city. It had already sanctioned Rs 44 crore to take up work related to smooth running of the traffic system. The project, which would end in 2010, involved construction of roads, its maintanence and training to personnel, he added.

He said a new Commandant would be appointed within the next few days to head the Anti-terrorist squad to contain naxalite movement in the state.

Stating that the naxalite problem in the state was localised, Mr Prakash said the government would tackle the menace effectively by taking up development works in naxal-infested areas.

He said the government was considering filing a review petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking exemption for pillion riders from wearing helmets.

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