Latest news with #AWT
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Massive fire at Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce in Delhi's Pitampura
A short circuit in the server of the library at Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce in Delhi's Pitampura led to a massive fire Thursday morning, which spread to three floors, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said. DFS officials said no students or faculty were injured as there wasn't much crowd inside the library in the early hours of the day. According to DFS, the fire started at around 8.55 am on the fourth floor of the college – under Delhi University (DU) – with the initial flames restricted to the first floor. However, DFS chief Atul Garg said the fire then quickly spread to the second and third floors, leading to the burning of books in the library. As many as 11 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames. STORY | Fire breaks out in library of Delhi's Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce READ: VIDEO: (Source: Third Party) — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2025 'By 9.40 am, we brought the fire under control. It took time as the strong winds ignited the fire further on multiple floors. A short circuit seems to be the initial reason for the fire. The police will investigate further,' a DFS official said. The video of the fire showed massive flames coming out of the shattered window panes of the red college building. The sound of windows breaking could also be heard in the video. According to DFS officials, the library is still filled with plumes of smoke, and a correct assessment of losses would only be made after cooling operations are concluded. Last week, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta talked about bolstering the ranks of the Delhi Fire Services with state-of-the-art technologies such as Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) and Aerial Water Tower (AWT) vehicles, and announced a budget of Rs. 504 crore for it. The procurement of the equipment is expected to make the response time in similar incidents quicker and efficient.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Indian Express
Will make Delhi Fire Services one of the best in the world: CM announces budget for more equipment
Reiterating the government's commitment to making the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) 'one of the best in the world', Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Thursday assessed the two QRVs (Quick Response Vehicles), which are specialised compact fire-fighting vehicles designed to maneuver with ease in congested areas. A demonstration of the QRVs was held at the Delhi Secretariat. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister announced a Rs 504-crore budget for the DFS, with Rs 110 crore reserved for procuring advanced fire-fighting equipment. Some of them would be automated water tower vehicles, a 32-metre turntable ladder, mini fire-fighting robots, and QRVs. 'Our aim is for the Delhi Fire Services to become not only the most advanced in the country but among the best in the world,' she said. Explaining the advantages of a QRV, the CM said the sleek vehicles are equipped with fire suppression systems, a water mist, and foam systems, which can douse small to medium-scale fires. Rescue equipment like cutters, spreaders, and fire extinguishers is also loaded in the vehicle. For life-saving support, it has a stretcher and a first aid kit. Its quick movement will allow it to penetrate the Capital's more congested areas, such as slums and markets. The CM also declared that soon, 100 of these mini quick-response fire vehicles will be deployed specifically for narrow-lane operations. For safe firefighting in higher-risk areas, AWT vehicles — fully remote-controlled and equipped with thermal and optical cameras — will also be deployed. Two of them are already stationed at the Connaught Place and Laxmi Nagar fire stations. A new 32-metre turntable ladder, which can rotate 360 degrees to douse fires on high rises, would also be mounted onto fire tenders. Delhi Cabinet Minister Ashish Sood also promised the procurement of 100 new fire tenders that will be stationed in several parts of the capital.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Delhi CM unveils revamp of Delhi Fire Services, vows world-class upgrade
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced a plan to revamp the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) with an aim to transform it into the most advanced firefighting service in the country. She said her government has allocated ₹504 crore to the service of which ₹110 crore will be used to buy new equipment. Gupta said DFS will get a new headquarters, stations will set up in underserved areas, fire vehicles will get surveillance cameras, the control room will get a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system to track vehicles in real time, 100 small vehicles will be acquired to fight fires in narrow lanes, and firefighters will be trained to respond better to emergencies. 'The primary objective of our government is to ensure the safety of Delhi residents. We will expand the number of fire stations and establish 100 new fire posts, especially in narrow lanes, where fire units equipped with modern equipment will be deployed. For this, the government has made a budgetary provision of ₹504 crore of which ₹110 crore is earmarked for capital expenditure on the purchase of new machinery, equipment, and modern tools. Our aim is for DFS to emerge as not only the most modern and alert fire service in the country but also in the world. The number of firefighters will be increased as needed to effectively and timely respond to every emergency,' Gupta said during a visit to DFS headquarters in Connaught Place on Friday. 'A comprehensive roadmap for both short-term and long-term works has been prepared for modernising the fire service. Short-term works will include staff recruitment, equipment repair, and public awareness campaigns. Long-term works will include the development of a GIS-based centralised portal, modernisation of fire trucks, and enhancing the fire service's capabilities to international standards through global partnerships,' the chief minister's office said in a statement. DFS has 67 fire stations, and 18 more are required so that firefighting services can effectively serve the entire Capital. DFS has more than 3,000 firefighters who attend to more than 36,000 emergency situations annually — the highest among metros in India. Modern tools Gupta said that her government has bought 18 mini firefighting robots, AWT vehicles (specialised firefighting vehicles designed to reach places as high as 70 metres), and 32-metre turntable ladders for DFS. 'Our government has already provided four aerial water towers, 17 water bowsers and 24 quick response vehicles to DFS,' Gupta said. DFS demonstrated several advanced equipment to Gupta including articulated water tower vehicles, 32-metre turntable ladders, mini firefighting robots, and quick response vehicles. The articulated water tower vehicles are fully remote-controlled and equipped with thermal and optical cameras, ensuring the safety of firefighters while extinguishing fires in high-risk areas. Currently, two such vehicles are deployed, each at the Connaught Place and Laxmi Nagar fire stations. An official of the home department said the mini firefighting robot is a made-in-India device which can withstand temperatures up to 500°C and is equipped with cameras for live video feeds. The robot can discharge 2,500 litres of water per minute, significantly reducing the risks involved in firefighting. Additionally, 24 new quick response vehicles have been provided to DFS, designed to handle fires in narrow lanes, dense settlements, and electrical and LPG-related incidents. A 32-metre turntable ladder has been introduced, specifically designed for firefighting in high-rise buildings and for rescuing people stranded at height. This ladder is mounted on a fire truck and can rotate 360 degrees, making it versatile for use in any direction. New headquarters and stations The current DFS headquarters is located in a dilapidated building and the government has decided to construct a new building in its place. 'The government has taken a significant and sensitive decision to approve the construction of a new, modern building, and the work will begin shortly,' Gupta said. 'New fire stations will be established in areas of Delhi that currently lack them. Smart response mechanisms and advanced technologies will be implemented for real-time monitoring of fire incidents and rapid response. Moreover, advanced training programmes will be introduced for firefighters to ensure timely and effective action in any disaster situation,' Gupta said. Officials said that the number of the new fire stations will be announced after an assessment of the underserved areas. The number of additional firefighters that the government will recruit will be revealed after the plans are finalised. The recruitment drive is likely to be launched soon to address staff shortages, officials said.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Engines tailored for narrow lanes, ladders for high-rise rescues, fire-fighting robots: Delhi CM plans to modernise fire safety infra
During her visit to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) headquarters at Connaught Place on Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a sweeping modernisation plan aimed at upgrading the city's fire safety infrastructure. The government, in its March Budget, had allocated Rs 504 crore to the DFS. Of this, Rs 110 crore will be used to procure state-of-the-art equipment, including 100 compact fire engines tailored for Delhi 's narrow lanes, Gupta said. 'These mini fire trucks will be crucial in reaching narrow lanes and densely populated areas quickly,' said Home Minister Ashish Sood, who accompanied Gupta. Narrow lanes have been one of the biggest challenges for the DFS to reach accident spots on time. The Budget includes plans to deploy advanced fire-fighting tools such as Aerial Water Tower (AWT) vehicles, 32-m turntable ladders for high-rise rescues, mini firefighting robots capable of operating in temperatures up to 500°C, and 24 new quick response vehicles (QRVs). These facilities are aimed at boosting emergency response capabilities while ensuring the safety of firefighters. The plan will also include the integration of a computer-aided dispatch system into the DFS control room, which will enable real-time tracking of all fire trucks. Further, surveillance cameras will be installed in each fire vehicle, and control room personnel will receive technical training to handle upgraded systems efficiently. Acknowledging the deteriorating state of the DFS headquarters, Gupta announced the construction of a new, modern facility, for which a budget has already been approved. She outlined a roadmap, including short-term initiatives such as staff recruitment and holding public awareness campaigns, and long-term plans like the development of a GIS-based centralised management portal and international collaborations to train firefighters. Highlighting the scale and workload of DFS, Gupta said, 'Today, DFS has 86 fire stations and over 3,000 dedicated firefighters who face more than 36,000 emergency situations annually. This number is the highest compared to any other metropolitan city in the country… We will expand the number of fire stations and establish 100 new fire posts, especially in narrow lanes…' She added that the number of firefighters will be increased to effectively respond to emergencies. 'It is our commitment that there will be no shortage of equipment for DSF,' Gupta said.
Arab News
28-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistani charities report modest recovery in Ramadan despite easing inflation
KARACHI: Two main charities in Pakistan's largest city of Karachi have reported a modest recovery in the collection of donations this Ramadan despite easing inflation, top officials at the organizations said this week, as the annual inflation rate slowed to 1.5 percent in February, the lowest in nearly a decade. Major welfare organizations such as the Edhi Foundation, Pakistan's largest charity known for its extensive network of ambulances and shelters, and the Alamgir Welfare Trust (AWT), another main social welfare body, said they expected either stable or slightly higher contributions this year compared to the last two years when high inflation rates had curtailed donations. Pakistan's inflation peaked at 38 percent in May 2023 before gradually easing, with the government expecting it to remain within 1–3 percent in the coming months. Every year, Edhi and AWT collectively gather and spend as much as Rs4 billion ($14.4 million) on initiatives like sheltering orphans, burying unclaimed dead bodies and providing free food, health and education facilities to thousands of vulnerable families across Pakistan. 'This year we will hopefully see 10 percent extra donations toward our annual budget of Rs3 billion,' Chohdry Nisar Ahmed, the chairman of AWT, told Arab News. Headquartered in the Bahadurabad neighborhood of Karachi, the organization operates on a daily budget of around Rs10 million ($36,000). Ahmed said inflation had adversely affected the charity's work in recent years, though the situation was now beginning to improve. 'Earlier, the effect of inflation was significant. Now that impact has reduced a bit,' he said 'But as the gold price has increased now, so people are bound to pay more Zakat. We did experience a little up and down in donations but not much.' Zakat is a mandatory form of almsgiving in Islam, calculated as a percentage of one's wealth, including gold holdings. This means the higher the price of gold, the greater the amount eligible individuals are required to pay. The AWT chief said he wanted to expand his network of services by constructing a 14-story building in Karachi, the commercial capital of Pakistan. To start the construction work on acquired land, he said, AWT needed at least Rs1.5 billion ($5.4 million). The organization also wants to enroll at least 50,000 children in schools in addition to the 40,000 it is already educating. The chairman of the Edhi Foundation, which runs the world's largest volunteer ambulance service, also reported a modest hike in donations this year. 'Charity in the first twenty days of Ramadan is almost the same as compared to last year,' Faisal Edhi told Arab News. 'The increase [this year] is very little, not much. We cannot call it a substantial increase.' Edhi Foundation is preparing to expand its 2,000-vehicle ambulance fleet amid growing demand for emergency response services across Pakistan. It already runs a shelter home that houses 5,000 homeless people, including women and children. 'Our annual budget ranges from Rs3-4 billion that we cover from donations,' Edhi said, adding that a part of the donations came from the Pakistani community living in Britain and the United States, but most came from Pakistani donors belonging to the middle or working classes. 'Seeing the inflation, it seems like the [total] charity will be same as last year and our last year was not very promising either,' Edhi said. 'The group that gives us charity, they belong to middle and lower-middle classes or the working class and the working class has been affected the most [by inflation] at the moment.'
