Bhutan received nine new fire-fighting vehicles through the Government of India project today. Ten more are expected to arrive in about a month’s time.
The Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs, Minjur Dorji, said the firefighting vehicles have come at a crucial time when the country is facing increasing fire disasters. He added that at least two fire-fighting vehicles will be made available in each Dzongkhag.
“Starting 2009 we faced several big fire disasters; first the Wamrong town, then Haa and then followed by Bumthang. During the disaster people incurred so much of loss. Not just that, we even lost many sacred relics especially when the Dzongs, Lhakhangs and monasteries caught fire,” said Lyonpo.
The 19 fire-fighting vehicles are worth over Nu. 63 million. With its arrival, the fire-fighting division of the police will have 45 fire-fighting vehicles.