Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), under its greater Kathmandu project, has come forward with an ambitious plan of installing seven more fire brigade stations to cater to the expanding city and the mushrooming population.

The project, which is in its initial phase, aims to build five fire stations in Kathmandu,  three in Lalitpur and two in Bhaktapur. Currently, the three cities have one fire station each.

“It is an ambitious plan, but I am sure it can be completed within next two to three years. We are in the process of beginning the grand project by setting up the first station in Chabahil,” said Kishore Kumar Bhattarai, chief of Judda Barun Yantra Karyalaya.

The locations for fire stations in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are yet to be fixed.

 Bozen Bolzana City, a province of Italy, is assisting us in building the two-storey station worth Rs 20 million.

Similarly, Soarway Foundation, an American origination, will provide

nine fire-fighting equipment, including two ladder truck and other fire and rescue gears.

Apart from setting up new fire stations and adding a fleet of fire engines, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City will also need an additional 200 firemen.

The Kathamdnu Metropolitan City currently employs 39 firemen and

a dozen or so are likely to retire soon.

The project will give a massive lift to the existing fire brigade service inside the Valley.