Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 26 August 2023
In the wake of a recent devastating fire incident that engulfed a private resort on Long Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Member of Parliament Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has called upon the Chief Secretary to establish a Fire Service Unit on the Island, emphasising the urgent need for fire safety infrastructure.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma recounted the harrowing events of August 23, 2023, when a fierce fire broke out at a private resort on Long Island. The inferno caused extensive damage to the resort, leaving locals and PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution) members to battle the uncontrollable flames without the assistance of a dedicated fire service unit.
Highlighting the significance of Long Island in the tourism landscape of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma underlined that the island holds immense potential for further promotion as a tourist destination. Moreover, it boasts a substantial population, rendering the absence of a Fire Service unit a critical vulnerability in the event of fire-related emergencies.
In light of these compelling circumstances, the Member of Parliament appealed to the Chief Secretary to expedite the establishment of a well-equipped Fire Service unit on Long Island. His proposal includes the provision of a compact fire tender (Mini Pick-Up size), essential firefighting equipment, state-of-the-art water pumps, and a mobile firefighting unit. These resources, he contends, are essential to ensure that fire incidents are promptly managed before they spiral into unmanageable crises.
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma’s impassioned plea comes as a response to the vulnerability exposed by the recent fire incident on Long Island and as part of broader efforts to enhance safety and infrastructure on the island. The establishment of a Fire Service unit could prove instrumental in averting potential disasters and safeguarding the island’s residents and its burgeoning tourism sector.