LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh housing department has allocated ₹350 crore for the purchase of advanced fire tenders with hydraulic platforms to enhance firefighting capabilities in high-rise buildings. This move addresses concerns from residents of multi-storey housing societies regarding fire response for upper floors.
These funds will be distributed through housing development authorities and provided to the fire department for acquiring modern tenders in 11 rapidly developing cities: Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Agra, Meerut, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Bareilly, Moradabad, and Ayodhya. Officials indicate that the aim is to bolster equipment suitable for taller residential developments as urbanization increases across the state.
Ghaziabad, a significant city in the National Capital Region, is set to receive the most advanced vehicles under this initiative, with an allocation of ₹100 crore for two tenders capable of reaching heights up to 102 metres.
A senior officer from the housing department noted that Noida and Greater Noida are excluded from this plan as they fall under the industrial development department. “Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway authorities are managed by the industrial development department. Only housing development agencies will contribute the funds and collaborate with the fire department for the procurement,” the officer stated.
Lucknow is also expected to receive two tenders capable of reaching heights up to 90 metres, while Varanasi will get one such vehicle. The estimated cost for these high-reach tenders is around ₹68 crore each.
For cities like Agra, Meerut, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, and Prayagraj, the fire department has requested 72-metre high tenders that align with the building height profiles in these areas. In contrast, Bareilly, Moradabad, and Ayodhya are anticipated to have equipment planned for buildings under 42 metres due to limited high-rise development.
The newly procured tenders will feature turntable ladders and platforms with telescopic booms capable of servicing buildings up to 30 stories high.
Director General of Fire Safety, Sujeet Pandey, welcomed this initiative by the housing department, asserting that it aims to significantly enhance urban safety.
