By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 26: The state’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department has asked its team to conduct a safety assessment of government buildings.
The direction came close on the heels of the devastating fire that destroyed a private building in Thana Road area of Police Bazar here.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Kyrmen Shylla said the matter was discussed at a meeting of the state cabinet and all departments concerned spoke about their requirements.
Stating that the Revenue and Disaster Management Department conducts mock drills from time to time, he said it has given directions to its team to conduct the safety assessment in government buildings.
In addition, the state government has asked the Fire and Emergency Services department to submit its recommendations and suggestions so that it can can come up with a policy and a standard operating procedure (SOP), especially for the urban areas.
Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said, “I have asked the Fire and Emergency Services (Department) IG in-charge to submit all the details – challenges that we have and if they are in terms of equipment, infrastructure or manpower.”
“We will see one by one to meet the requirements as early as possible,” he assured.
The Deputy CM said, “I think we need to come up with the policy. We need to come up with full SOP, especially in urban areas, which I personally feel, is needed very urgently. Once that is done, I am very sure that we will come out with the notification and the SOP.”
Stating that the government will sit again and discuss the matter, he reiterated, “I have already told the Fire Services to submit all the details. It means the recommendations, suggestions and views. Once I receive those, I will call for a meeting and we will discuss.”
Tynsong said the government is willing to do it at the earliest and that is the reason why the IG in-charge of Fire and Emergency Services Department has been instructed to submit all those documents.
The Thana Road area fire, which broke out at the Janata Furniture Building on October 14, had left one person dead.
It was one of the most devastating fires in the history of Shillong. It could be doused after an effort of more than 32 hours by Fire and Emergency Services Department, district administration, Army, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, among others.