NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at improving fire safety in the capital, the Delhi government has announced the deployment of 24 Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) at fire-prone areas across the city.
The initiative, which will be launched on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, September 17, is designed to address the challenges posed by high population density and traffic congestion, officials said on Tuesday.
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) faces significant obstacles in providing swift response to fires. The government noted that the traffic congestion is the “biggest challenge faced by fire officials,” with heavy traffic, especially during peak hours, “significantly delaying fire tenders from reaching the scene of a fire” as congested and older parts of the city, particularly slum areas, make it difficult for large fire tenders to navigate narrow lanes.
The newly introduced QRVs are compact vehicles equipped with the latest technology designed for maximum efficiency and versatility. They can easily maneuver through narrow streets and provide rapid fire suppression, officials said.
With a 100-litre water tank and an Ultra High-Pressure Pump Extinguishing System, the QRVs operate at 21 litres per minute, enabling them to control fires at their initial stages, preventing further escalation. A total of 24 locations with a high incidence of fire and challenging accessibility have been identified for QRV deployment, including areas like Janakpuri, Najafgarh, Vasant Kunj, Rohini Sector 16, Lajpat Nagar, and Dwarka, among others. The project has been rolled out in three phases.
In the first phase, 24 QRVs have been procured at a cost of Rs 8.61 crore, which includes both the vehicles and specialized firefighting equipment. Each Maruti XL6 vehicle costs Rs 11.05 lakh, while the Ultra High-Pressure Pump system is priced at Rs 24.8 lakh.
The second phase of the project involves the procurement of 26 more Maruti XL6 vehicles, with high-pressure pumps to be added afterward. Phase three will see the deployment of an additional 50 QRVs. Initially, DFS personnel will staff the QRVs, with plans to outsource manpower in later phases, officials added.
Project has been rolled out in three phases
The project has been rolled out in three phases. In the first phase, 24 QRVs have been procured at a cost of Rs 8.61 crore, which includes both the vehicles and specialised firefighting equipment. Each Maruti XL6 vehicle costs Rs 11.05 lakh, while the Ultra High-Pressure Pump system is priced at Rs 24.8 lakh. The second phase of the project involves getting 26 more Maruti XL6 vehicles