LUCKNOW, May 16 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has sanctioned equipment, vehicles and fabrication works worth nearly Rs.78 crore for the expansion and modernisation of the state Fire and Emergency Services department during the 2026-27 financial year, senior home department officials said on Friday. "According to four separate government orders issued on Wednesday, the state finance and home departments show that the combined sanctioned amount stands at Rs.77,96,01,727. The expenditure covers fabrication and procurement of multiple categories of fire-fighting and emergency response vehicles, including high-capacity water tenders, rapid response units, rescue vehicles, buses and utility vehicles for deployment across Uttar Pradesh", confirmed a senior home department official. The orders suggest that a single largest approval, amounting to Rs.48,83,84,902, has been sanctioned for procurement and fabrication of several categories of vehicles and equipment. The list includes 13 water tenders with 5,000+500 litre capacity fitted with chassis, high-pressure pumps, and accessories at a cost of Rs.10.19 crore, 53 disaster response support water tenders of similar capacity costing Rs.32.85 crore, one Ashok Leyland Type-II non-AC deluxe bus with 58-passenger capacity costing nearly Rs.39.56 lakh, 56 Mahindra Neo utility vehicles costing over Rs.5.30 crore and one additional Mahindra Neo vehicle costing Rs.8.79 lakh. Officials indicated that these vehicles are intended to strengthen field mobility, logistical support and disaster-response capability of the fire and emergency services department. Another government order sanctioned Rs.18,55,71,225 for fabrication and procurement of 18 water tenders with 18,000-litre capacity. Each unit, including chassis, high-pressure pump, fabrication and accessories, has been estimated at over Rs.1.03 crore, indicating the department's emphasis on deploying large-volume fire suppression vehicles capable of handling industrial, urban and high-rise fire incidents. Additional Rs.6.74 crore for 9 heavy water tenders and foam blowers In a separate sanction order, the government approved Rs.6,74,52,000 for nine water tenders with 18,000-litre capacity equipped with high-pressure pumps and accessories and 30 smoke exhaust cum blower units costing Rs.55.50 lakh. The blower systems are expected to be used during smoke evacuation and rescue operations in enclosed fire incidents and disaster situations. The fourth order sanctioned Rs.3,81,93,600 for fabrication of 16 compact water tenders with 2,500-litre capacity. These smaller tenders are likely to be deployed in congested urban localities and semi-urban areas where larger vehicles face mobility constraints. All four government orders specify that procurement will be carried out through the government e-marketplace (GeM) portal under prevailing financial rules and quality certification norms. The orders also direct the fire and emergency services headquarters to ensure that no duplicate funding has been availed for the same equipment, purchases conform to technical specifications, expenditure remains within approved limits, and utilisation certificates are submitted within stipulated timelines. The approvals come amid increasing emphasis on disaster preparedness, urban fire response and strengthening emergency infrastructure across Uttar Pradesh, particularly after repeated large-scale fire incidents, industrial accidents and extreme weather-related emergencies in recent years....