Turn table ladder to be imported

IN CONVERSATION: Fire and Rescue Services Director R. Natraj interacting with technicians from Japan, who are in Chennai to repair a turn table ladder, on Wednesday. Photo: V. Ganesan

The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department is planning to import a 70-metre turn table ladder from Finland as part of the modernisation programme, its Director R.Natraj said on Wednesday.

“We intend to procure a 70-metre and 54-metre turn table ladder which is essential not only to put off fire in high-rise buildings but also for rescue operations during emergency situations like lift failures. There are three turn table ladders in Chennai, including one imported from Japan,” he said.

Mr. Natraj said a team of technicians from Morita Holdings Corporation, Japan, were attending to repair works on the 45-metre turn table ladder which had developed minor snags, including hydraulic oil leak from the rotating unit.

The repair works were being undertaken at a cost of Rs. 11.5 lakh, he added.