Delhi govt allots Rs 500 cr for upgrade of fire services, new fire stations

The Delhi government has set aside a budget of Rs 500 crore to modernise and strengthen the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), with ₹125 crore specifically earmarked for the procurement of new equipment, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday.

“Our aim is to ensure that the Delhi Fire Services are equipped with world-class tools and remain fully prepared to tackle any emergency,” said Gupta during a visit to the DFS headquarters, where she was accompanied by Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood.

Key upgrades under the budget include the induction of four aerial water towers, 17 water bowsers, and 24 quick response vehicles, she said.

New fire stations are also planned in under-served areas, while existing firefighting equipment will undergo thorough inspection, repair, and upgrading to guarantee operational readiness.

“Each fire station will see major enhancements to its infrastructure and functionality. Additionally, the fire control room is undergoing a long-overdue transformation into a fully computerised, state-of-the-art operations hub,” Gupta noted.

She further underlined the government’s commitment to rebuilding the ageing DFS headquarters—a project being closely monitored by Home Minister Sood to ensure timely execution.

“Our goal is to provide Delhi with a highly efficient, modern, and dependable fire service,” she added.

To enhance the capacity of firefighters for high-risk operations, the government plans to introduce advanced training programmes.

Home Minister Sood highlighted steps being taken to improve fire and accident response in densely populated and hard-to-reach colonies. “We are setting up 100 permanent stations specifically designed for small fire vehicles to serve these areas more effectively,” he said.

“In addition, 100 new fire tenders have been deployed at strategic locations, particularly in unauthorised colonies and areas with narrow roads. This will allow for swift response and timely dispatch during emergencies,” he added.

Sood also revealed that thorough inspections of lifts in high-rise buildings—some up to 70 metres tall—are currently underway. The government is planning to procure equipment capable of reaching heights of up to 90 metres to ensure comprehensive safety coverage.

“On behalf of our government, I want to assure every citizen of Delhi that we remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding lives and property,” the Home Minister affirmed.

(With inputs from PTI)