Despite the Punjab Local Government department claiming to introduce 68 new fire tenders, staff and equipment shortage still remains a major challenge to tackle an untoward incident.

Most of the newly introduced fire tenders are lying ideal in the absence of drivers at fire stations in various districts.

On Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from Sunam and party co-president Aman Arora wrote a letter to Local Government minister Navjot Singh Sidhu asking him to provide staff for the fire brigade department.

 He said the staff is needed so that the fire vehicles sent four months back can be utilised.

Arora in his letter said that even after repeated reminders to the concerned officers, nothing has been done to provide staff till date.

Arora added that Sidhu provided fire vehicles to the city on his demand but due to lack of drivers and other supporting staff, the vehicles are now just a liability on the department.

“A number of fire incidents were reported in last few months in the city and surrounding areas but even after the availability of vehicles, the office was helpless to do  the needful in the regard. I hope that the minister will look into the matter and do needful in this regard,” said Arora.

As per the information available with Local Government Department, 68 fire tenders have already been provided to the fire service stations in various districts.

In addition, 28 more fire tenders have been sanctioned for the remaining stations.

The officers said that at least 500 fire tenders will be required in all over the state.

A fund of `50 crore has been approved to purchase 100 more fire tenders.

At present only Mohali is equipped with a modernised fire tender having  hydraulic stairs necessary for high rise buildings where as no other city has such a vehicle.

 In Patiala ~ the hometown of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ~ the fire services are ailing due to the shortage of staff and non-functional hydrants.

Sources said that the shortage of water-filling points in the city and leakage from tanks of fire vehicles are among the major challenges.

Similarly, in Sangrur, the fire station has over 26 sanctioned posts out of which half of the posts are lying vacant since past many years.