Andhra Pradesh Fire Department gets ₹252 crore modernisation push
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh has committed ₹252.86 crore to overhaul its Fire Department, with Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu inaugurating 58 new vehicles in Amaravati — including rural-ready fire tenders, 14,000-litre water bowsers, and quick-response units for congested areas. A third procurement phase and 17 new fire station buildings signal one of the state's most ambitious public safety infrastructure pushes in recent years.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated 58 firefighting vehicles worth ₹40 crore in Amaravati on 14 August .
Total outlay for the Fire Department modernisation stands at ₹252.86 crore , funded jointly by the Centre and the state.
Phase 1 delivered 65 fire tenders at ₹33 crore ; Phase 2 adds 58 vehicles at ₹40 crore ; Phase 3 is forthcoming.
New fleet includes 25 rural/forest vehicles (₹18.68 crore), 20 water bowsers of 14,000-litre capacity (₹14.79 crore), and 13 quick-response units (₹6.37 crore).
17 new fire station buildings are under construction at ₹2.25 crore each ; 6 are already complete and 36 existing stations are being modernised.
The Andhra Pradesh government is undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of its Fire Department, committing ₹252.86 crore to procure modern firefighting vehicles and equipment across multiple phases, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu announced on Friday, 14 August in Amaravati. The upgrade is aimed at strengthening the state's capacity to protect lives and property during fire emergencies and natural disasters.
What the Modernisation Covers
Naidu was speaking at the inauguration of 58 firefighting vehicles worth approximately ₹40 crore, procured using 15th Finance Commission funds. The event was held at the Seed Access Road in Amaravati, where officials briefed the Chief Minister on the vehicles' capabilities.
'We are procuring modern vehicles and equipment in phases at a total cost of ₹252.86 crore, utilising funds from both the Central and State governments. In the first phase, we have already made 65 fire tenders available at a cost of ₹33 crore. Just now, we launched 58 vehicles as part of the second phase, costing ₹40 crore,' Naidu said.
Fleet Breakdown: What Was Inducted
Officials detailed the composition of the 58 newly inducted vehicles. These include 25 advanced firefighting vehicles worth ₹18.68 crore, specifically designed to reach rural and forest areas rapidly and provide immediate firefighting services at accident sites.
An additional 20 water bowsers valued at ₹14.79 crore have been deployed to ensure an uninterrupted water supply during large-scale fire incidents. Each bowser holds 14,000 litres and is intended for urban and industrial fire zones. The fleet also includes 13 quick-response, multi-purpose vehicles worth ₹6.37 crore, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and designed to access narrow and congested areas swiftly.
Infrastructure Upgrades Across the State
Beyond vehicles, the government is investing in fire station infrastructure. Naidu stated that 17 new fire station buildings are being constructed at ₹2.25 crore per building, with six already completed. An additional 36 fire stations are being modernised as part of the same initiative.
A third phase — covering more fire tenders and advanced equipment — is expected to be announced shortly, according to the Chief Minister.
Who Was Present
Home Minister Anitha, Fire Services Director General Venkataramana, and other senior state officials attended the inauguration ceremony. The event marked a visible political commitment by the Naidu administration to public safety infrastructure ahead of the state's ongoing governance agenda.
With the second phase now operational, Andhra Pradesh's fire services are set to gain significantly expanded reach — particularly in underserved rural and forest regions where emergency response has historically faced logistical constraints.
Point of View
But the phased rollout — with Phase 1 and 2 together accounting for under ₹73 crore — means the bulk of the spending remains undeployed and unverified. The inclusion of rural and forest-area vehicles is a genuine gap-filler; Andhra Pradesh's forest cover and dispersed habitation have historically made fire response slow. What is less clear is whether the new infrastructure is matched by trained manpower — India's fire services have long suffered a personnel shortage that equipment alone cannot fix. The real test of this modernisation will come not at an inauguration, but at the next major fire incident in a district that previously had no functional tender.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Andhra Pradesh Fire Department modernisation project?
It is a multi-phase government initiative worth ₹252.86 crore to procure modern firefighting vehicles and equipment and upgrade fire station infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh. The project uses funds from both the Central government and the state budget, including 15th Finance Commission allocations.
How many vehicles were inaugurated and what do they include?
Chief Minister Naidu inaugurated 58 vehicles in Phase 2, comprising 25 rural and forest firefighting vehicles , 20 water bowsers of 14,000-litre capacity, and 13 quick-response multi-purpose units capable of accessing narrow areas. Phase 1 had earlier delivered 65 fire tenders.
How many fire stations are being built or upgraded?
The government is constructing 17 new fire station buildings at ₹2.25 crore each, of which 6 have already been completed. An additional 36 existing fire stations are being modernised as part of the same programme.
When will Phase 3 of the modernisation begin?
Chief Minister Naidu stated that Phase 3 — covering additional fire tenders and advanced firefighting equipment — will be announced and launched 'soon', though no specific date was given at the inauguration event.
Who attended the inauguration of the firefighting vehicles?
The event was attended by Home Minister Anitha , Fire Services Director General Venkataramana , and other senior state officials. It was held at the Seed Access Road in Amaravati on 14 August .
