The Hindu : New Delhi News : Now Metro expertise comes to the aid of Fire Service

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Friday, Feb 18, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Now Metro expertise comes to the aid of Fire Service

By Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

NEW DELHI, FEB. 17. After procuring three disaster management Hazmet vehicles through the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the Delhi Fire Service has now placed orders for one hydraulic platform and a large quantity of fire-fighting equipment through it to save itself the cumbersome and highly technical process of inviting global tenders. As for DMRC, which imports a large amount of items and would only be adding the requirement of DFS to its shopping list, this would result in some earnings through the service charges.

The symbiosis has been mutually beneficial to both the government organisations and has also considerably reduced the procurement time for the equipment. According to the Chief Fire Officer of DFS, R.C. Sharma, orders for procurement are being placed through DMRC as it has a dedicated department to deal with such purchases by floating global tenders, inviting bids, citing the conditions and taking delivery of the material.

"As a result of the expertise in the field of placing orders and taking deliveries, DMRC is able to do the procurement job in a much smaller time-frame. Whereas, if we are to do the same, it would require a lot of time as we do not have the requisite knowhow in the field," said Mr Sharma, adding that though earlier DFS did use to place some orders on its own, it found the process too cumbersome to handle.

While it had placed the order for a hydraulic platform some time back, DFS has now placed orders for 600 fire-fighter's coat, trousers, gloves and anti-flash hoods. Besides, it has also invited bids for 40 Combitools and 600 pieces each of fire-fighter's boots and helmets. The tender is open to only those manufacturers who have a ISO 9001 certified quality management system and manpower in India for carrying out repairs and maintenance.

Mr Sharma said while some Government departments go through the State Trading Corporation or the Directorate-General of Supplies and Disposal for purchase of their equipment as both these organisations are regularly involved in importing goods, DFS has chosen DMRC for it is located in Delhi and imports a large quantity of items which makes obtaining supplies than much easier.

Meanwhile, DMRC is also extending its hand to other organisations and departments as well. An official said DFS is just one of the many departments which have now begun importing their equipment through it. And this appears to be a win-win situation for all.

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