Assam Deploys Custom Firefighting Motorcycles for Rapid Response

Guwahati: Assam Fire and Emergency Services is fighting blazes with two wheels. They built a compact firefighting unit using a 450cc Himalayan motorcycle. This bike maneuvers where heavy fire trucks fail. It solves the problem of narrow lanes and rough terrain.

The machine weighs 390 kilograms. It carries 40 litres of water across two tanks. The system mixes foam and water at a 1:9 ratio to battle oil fires. A pump transfers power from the engine through a PTO system. The nozzle sprays 10 litres per minute, and a 20-metre hose keeps operators safe.

The department launched the project in March. They now have 14 motorcycles active across the state. These units guard cities like Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, and Guwahati. Specific coverage includes Dispur, Chandmari, and Panbazar, plus one unit in Sribhumi.

Fire and Emergency Services officer Dhanjit Bezbaruah says, "The initiative focuses on tackling fires at the earliest possible stage, especially in areas where a large fire tender may face difficulties reaching the spot." The bikes act as first responders, not replacements for heavy trucks. Four wheels carry more water. But two wheels reach the fire first.