YADGIRI, 5 MARCH

The government formed new taluks by separating Gurmatkal from Yadgir, Vadagera from Shahapur and Hunasagi from Surpur around eight years ago, but the new ones are yet to get fire stations, said local residents.

If a fire accident occurs in a remote village of these new taluks, by the time a fire truck arrives from the old taluk headquarters, the fire would have already done the damage, they said.

While Shahapur is 33km away from Vadagera, Yadgir is 40km from Gurmatkal and Surpur is 35km from Hunasagi.

According to norms, there should be a fire station within every 40km.

Surpur and Hunasagi share a single fire station, and it has only one fire-truck. To reach remote villages like Narayanpur, the fire truck has to travel 70km.

A site was once identified in Gurmatkal taluk to set up a fire station, but the work never began.

In Hunasagi, there is a shortage of government land. Although KBJNL land is available, it is near a hill, making access difficult.

Previously, the district had seven fire trucks for three fire stations. However, after fire trucks older than 15 years were decommissioned, only three are left.

District Fire Officer Veeresh Ukkadaka said, "Fire trucks older than 15 years cannot be used as per central government orders. Currently, only one truck operates in each of the three taluks."

If a fire breaks out in Vadagera, fire services need to be called from either Yadgir or Shahapur – both about 60km away. Mailarappa, Resident of Hayyal (B), said, "Despite being a taluk for many years, Vadagera has not yet been sanctioned a fire station."

Karave Activist Sharanu Itagi blamed the local MLA for the situation. "The absence of a fire station in Vadagera highlights the failure of elected representatives. The local MLAs must take immediate action."

Sanju Alegar, a social worker in Gurmatkal, said, "There have been several incidents where the fire truck has arrived after the fire has already died down. Establishing a local fire station is necessary."

Gurmatkal Tahsildar Shantagouda Biradar said, "A site for the fire station has already been identified. Work will begin once government approves funds."