LUCKNOW, Aug. 4 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs.25.79 crore for the procurement of 49 new fire-fighting vehicles, with the primary goal of replacing ageing and obsolete fire tenders. The decision assumes significance in the wake of the recent Aliganj building fire in Lucknow, which claimed 15 lives and highlighted the critical importance of a well-equipped and modern fire service. According to a government order issued by the home department on Friday, the state has approved the replacement of 39 obsolete 2,500-litre water tenders, besides procuring five additional water tenders of the same capacity and five specialised foam tenders with a capacity of 5,000 litres of water and 500 litres of foam compound. The total administrative and financial sanction for the project is Rs.25,78,85,000, approved on the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh fire and emergency services department. The order, issued by Special Secretary Annavi Dinesh Kumar, has been sent to the additional director general of police (headquarters). Under the sanctioned plan, about Rs.19.03 crore-nearly three-fourths of the total allocation-has been earmarked solely for replacing the 39 obsolete water tenders, underscoring the government's emphasis on fleet renewal. Another Rs.2.44 crore will be spent on procuring five new water tenders, while Rs.4.31 crore has been allocated for five foam tenders designed to tackle petroleum, chemical and industrial fires. The estimated procurement cost has been fixed at Rs.48.80 lakh per water tender and Rs.86.33 lakh per foam tender.To avoid additional financial burden, the government will not create new driver posts, and existing trained personnel will operate the new fleet. Officials said replacing obsolete fire tenders will modernise the fleet and improve the operational readiness of Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services statewide....