A long-pending demand of the people of the Spiti valley was fulfilled yesterday with the inauguration of a sub fire station at Kaza by Lahaul and Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana.

The facility is expected to significantly strengthen emergency response services in the remote, high-altitude region of the district, which is vulnerable to natural disasters.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the sub fire station, MLA Anuradha Rana said the availability of fire and emergency services is crucial for ensuring the safety of residents in the geographically challenging Spiti region.

The MLA said the land for a permanent sub fire station has already been identified and the construction work will begin shortly. She added that two fire tenders have been sanctioned for the station, enabling the Fire Services Department to extend quick rescue and firefighting operations to even the most remote parts of the Spiti Valley.

She added that the establishment of the sub fire station marks an important step towards strengthening disaster preparedness in one of state’s most inaccessible regions.

Welcoming the opening of the sub fire station, locals described it as the fulfilment of a decades-old demand of the Spiti region.