24 congested, densely populated zones prone to fire: How Delhi plans to ensure quick action

The total cost for procuring these QRVs — including both the vehicles and specialized firefighting equipment — is around Rs 8.61 crore, according to officials

By: Express News Service

New Delhi | Updated: September 17, 2025 11:03 AM IST

3 min read

The Delhi government has identified 24 vulnerable locations which have reported several fire incidents, pointing out that congestion and dense population make it difficult to reach these. To address this, the government has decided to deploy 24 Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) at each of the fire stations of the identified areas for emergencies, said officials adding that the QRVs will address fire calls quickly and douse the blaze on time.

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“The high population density — particularly in slum areas — and densely populated or closely built parts of the city, make it difficult for large fire tenders to navigate and access the affected locations. Due to these challenges, the average response time increases and small fires turn into big ones, which demand more personnel and equipment, significantly increasing the risk of property damage and loss of life…,” said a government official.

“Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has integrated an advanced Ultra High-Pressure Pump Extinguishing System and latest technologies into its compact XL6 vehicles, significantly enhancing its ability to respond to urban emergencies…Initially no fund was catered for this concept, however considering the challenges, the government allocated budget and planned to implement this concept in three phases,” officials also said.

They added that under the first phase, 24 QRVs will be inaugurated on Wednesday, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday celebrations.

The total cost for procuring these QRVs — including both the vehicles and specialized firefighting equipment — is around Rs 8.61 crore, according to officials. The fund has been allocated for two main components: the base vehicles and the ultra-high-pressure pump system.

Officials said that 26 more such vehicles will be procured in the second phase and 50 in the third.

“In the initial phase, QRVs will be staffed by existing DFS personnel. In the second phase, the plan is to outsource manpower for the QRVs…,” the official said.

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Explaining the benefits, officials added that these vehicles are designed for maximum efficiency and versatility and it will have easy navigation through congested, narrow lanes. These vehicles will also enable faster arrival and quicker fire suppression before larger engines are needed,” said officials, adding that these operate at just 21 litres per minute, maximizing a 100-litre water tank.

The features also include water mist for cooling, foam for oxygen cut-off, and a powerful jet for various fire types.

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