Brand new fire service vehicles gathering dust

BENGALURU: The fire department’s brand-new vehicles, bought at a cost of lakhs, are gathering dust, unused and neglected, at the R A Mundkur Fire and Emergency Services Academy on Bannerghatta Road.

These vehicles were meant for various district fire stations, but remain unregistered and unusable. Even after months, more than 10 vehicles are still standing on the same premises.

Over 10 newly purchased vehicles have not even been registered with the RTO and the spare parts have not been attached. These new vehicles were meant for various district fire stations across the state, with prices ranging from Rs 26 lakh to Rs 29 lakh. They are sitting idle, melting under the Sun and are in a state of breakdown.

The spare parts and batteries have been stolen from some vehicles. Tarpauls are torn and spiderwebs cover some parts. These fire vehicles, meant to respond to emergencies, are now in a state of coma, a result of officials’ lack of will to put them to use.