Long-term strategy aims to modernise fire response and prevent tragedies
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government would adopt a long-term strategy to address gaps in fire safety and disaster preparedness that have repeatedly come under scrutiny following major fires in residential and congested urban areas.
The announcement comes days after a devastating blaze in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area killed nine people, including a toddler, after a fire engulfed a four-storey residential building. Earlier in March, another tragic fire in Palam claimed the lives of nine people, including three children. Both incidents triggered concerns over illegal construction, blocked exits, narrow lanes, and poor enforcement of fire safety norms in densely populated neighbourhoods.
Following a high-level meeting with senior officials, Gupta directed all concerned departments to submit detailed reports and recommendations within 10 days to help prepare the proposed master plan.
“Departments have been directed to study past fire incidents and prepare an effective response framework so that emergencies can be handled quickly and loss of life can be minimised,” Gupta said.
She stressed that the government wanted to significantly strengthen the operational capacity of all departments linked to fire prevention and emergency management.
“No laxity will be tolerated in matters related to public safety. Inputs received from various departments would form the basis of a strong and effective Fire Fighting Master Plan,” the chief minister said.
According to officials, the proposed strategy will focus on expanding the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), reducing emergency response time, improving coordination among civic agencies, and increasing fire preparedness in vulnerable areas.
The government has directed the fire department to recruit additional personnel, establish new fire stations in underserved and high-risk localities, and procure modern firefighting equipment and rescue vehicles capable of operating in congested urban settlements.
Officials said advanced hydraulic platforms, protective gear, emergency communication systems, and rapid-response vehicles are likely to be included in the infrastructure upgrade plan. The government is also expected to provide increased budgetary support to modernise the city’s firefighting capabilities over the coming years.
The power department has meanwhile been instructed to exercise extra caution while granting electricity connections and to regularly inspect vulnerable areas to assess the condition of electrical infrastructure. Faulty wiring and overloaded circuits are considered among the leading causes of fire incidents in Delhi.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has also been directed to ensure that illegal constructions do not come up in residential areas and that roads and lanes remain free from encroachments that obstruct the movement of fire tenders during emergencies.
“The chief minister has directed all concerned departments to submit a detailed blueprint identifying the causes behind recurring fire incidents, vulnerable zones, gaps in the existing systems, and concrete preventive measures,” an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office said.
In addition to infrastructure reforms, the government plans to launch a citywide awareness campaign to educate residents about fire safety practices, emergency evacuation procedures, and preventive measures at home and in workplaces.
Mock drills are also expected to be conducted in residential colonies and public spaces to improve public preparedness during emergencies.
Delhi Home and Power Minister Ashish Sood said the government’s objective was to build a stronger and future-ready Fire Services Department capable of protecting the capital over the next quarter century.
Experts, however, say the success of the proposed master plan will depend not only on new infrastructure but also on strict enforcement of safety regulations and better urban planning.
With summer temperatures rising and electricity demand expected to increase sharply in the coming months, officials acknowledge that strengthening Delhi’s firefighting preparedness has become an urgent administrative priority.
