Fire truck wastes three hours waiting for unpunctual minister in Vashi

State PWD minister Eknath Shinde turned up at 3.30 pm instead of 11 am for a function in Vashi

In yet another example of the state’s and politicians’ callous disregard for the public, a Bronto Skylift fire truck from Vashi fire station was stationed outside Vashi bus depot for State PWD minister Eknath Shinde, who eventually turned up late for an event.

The stationed fire truck

Fire officials at Vashi fire station, on condition of anonymity, revealed that the crane truck was stationed since 12 pm after they were informed that the minister would arrive at 1 pm.

Shinde, who was in Navi Mumbai on Friday afternoon for a function on the ocassion of the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s birth anniversary at an auditorium in Vashi, reached the venue at 3.30 pm instead of 11 am (the time specified on the event’s poster).

As a result, the fire truck was stationed on the spot for more than three hours. The city fire department revealed that Navi Mumbai has only three such skylift trucks for emergencies.

Vijay Rane, Chief fire officer at Vashi fire station, said, “In the event of a major fire, we would have used the stationed truck.” Despite repeated attempts, Shinde was unavailable for comment.

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