CHITTAGONG. Nov 10; In a bid to minimise the loss of lives and propertv. the government has planned to set up more than one fire station in each upazila and densely populated pourasava (municipality) areas of the country, reports UNB.

Under the programme, nine fire stations are being set up in Teknaf and Chakoria upazllas of Cox’s Bazar district. Ram-garh of Khagrachhari district and Hathazari. Raozan. Ran-gunia. Fatikchhari. Mirsarai and Satkania in Chittagong district at a cost of over Tk 10 crore.

Official sources said work on the Chakoria fire station has already been competed.

Each fire station will have a large garage, residential arrangement for employees, one pond and a parade ground for which Tk 1 crore has been earmarked.

Other necessary equipment will be imported from abroad for each station.

But another source said construction of the lire stations would be delayed due to non-

availabliltv ol necessary lands in the respective upazllas. “However, we will be able to overcome It." he said.

He said they have to follow some government rules in establishing fire stations. “The first and foremost one is to ensure 80 decimal undisputed land.” he said adding, "then comes the question ol better road communication in the concerned area."

Sources at Chittagong Divisional Fire Sendee Office said work on the new fire stations would be completed by 2001