Built at a cost of Rs 20 lakh by the Municipal Corporation, the fire station would serve the areas of Phase-II Industrial Area and Ram Darbar and Air Force Station.

The Corporation has recently added five water tenders, including a water douser of 18,000 litre capacity, one DCP tender, four vehicles and latest wireless equipment to its fire-fighting equipment.

Speaking on the occasion, Swami said no corporation or local body can succeed and provide efficient services if the public does not assist it or keep a check on its working.

He called upon the people to maintain their surroundings properly to help maintain the status of the City Beautiful.

The Minister said it was for the first time after 1991 that the public had given a party at the Centre with an absolute majority. He added that the Kargil episode and the Pokharan explosions had helped the nation emerge stronger at the international level.

Presiding over the function, Mayor Kewal Krishan Adiwal said that more fire stations will shortly be commissioned, for which budget provision has already been made. Of the two new proposed stations, one would come up at the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat and the other at Sector 26 Timber Market. He added that there was a need to attract more foreign tourists to the city.

Former MP Satya Pal Jain, Municipal councillors, Municipal Commissioner M.P. Singh and other senior MC officials were also present on the occasion.