THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fire force has set up high-tech facilities amid the frequent fires at multi-storey commercial establishments and as rescue operations became difficult. The government has approved the import of aerial ladder platforms for rescuing people trapped in multi-storey buildings and firefighting robots for conducting rescue operations in areas which are difficult to reach. Aerial ladder platform will be provided to Ernakulam and fire fighting robot to Thiruvananthapuram.
The aerial ladder platform costs around Rs 12 crore. Rs 3 crore will have to be paid as tax. Two fire fighting robots worth Rs 2 crore will be procured. The purchase will be through global tender. The tender process will be completed within a month. The amount is sanctioned from the plan fund. The robot can travel at a speed of four kilometers per hour and has the capacity to spray 2400 liters of water per minute for a distance of 100 metres.