20000220

KMC directed to

construct proper

fire station at

Shirin Jinnah Colony

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Secretary Zubair Kidwai on Saturday expressed his serious concern over oil tanker fire incident in Shirin Jinnah Colony on Friday evening.

Presiding over a meeting here, the chief secretary while expressing sympathies with the victims of tanker blaze, directed Karachi commissioner to ensure dispensation of proper medical treatment to them.

He directed the KMC authorities and city administration to take steps for construction of a well equipped proper fire station at Shirin Jinnah Colony to meet any such eventuality in future.

He also directed removal of encroachments from colony roads and adjoining areas besides carrying out repair of roads, regular lifting of garbage and cleaning of sewerage water to facilitate the movement of fire engines in case of an emergency.

The chief secretary took notice of reports about encroachment of amenity plots and parking of tankers outside government school in the colony. He directed the commissioner to take immediate action in this respect.

Discussing reports regarding leaking oil tankers, Kidwai directed Karachi commissioner to ensure that only tankers with safety valves and mechanically fit are allowed to operate.

At the meeting the chief secretary issued directive to Inspector General Police to arrange establishment of a police check post and a traffic police station in the colony.

The police will check crimes and encroachments while traffic police will ensure regulated traffic and parking.

The chief secretary inquired from Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Ahmed Zubaidi about the welfare of KMC firemen, who were injured while fighting the oil tanker blaze in Shirin Jinnah Colony and appreciated their sense of dedication and commitment. It was decided to give cash rewards to injured firemen.

The meeting was attended, among others, by the commissioner and DIG Police Karachi, KMC Municipal Commissioner and deputy commissioner and SSP South.

Earlier a five member delegation of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, led by its chairman Abdul Sami Khan, met the chief secretary and discussed their problems with him.

The Chief Secretary issued necessary instructions to commissioner Karachi and director general, Bureau of Supply and Prices Sindh to look into the issues raised by the delegation.ÑAPP