From the narrow lanes of Old Delhi’s wholesale markets to crowded shopping centres and residential clusters, the Delhi fire department has prepared to strengthen its emergency response network ahead of Diwali by positioning special firefighting teams and vehicles at vulnerable locations across the city.
The department will mobilise resources from all its 71 fire stations, deploy 50 Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) and press 20 Motorcycle First Responder (MCFR) units into service on Diwali and the preceding day as part of its arrangements to tackle fire emergencies during the festive period, officials said.
This year’s focus is to reach congested localities where traffic bottlenecks, heavy pedestrian traffic, and narrow approach roads can delay conventional fire engines.
The department has shortlisted 23 locations as particularly vulnerable to fire incidents, taking into account previous emergencies, local risk factors and the anticipated rush during festive shopping. Eight of these locations already have QRVs stationed, while water tenders will be positioned at the remaining 15 spots as an additional precaution.
The water tenders will be stationed at key commercial and residential pockets, including Bar Tooti Chowk in Sadar Bazar, Tilak Nagar, Lajpat Nagar Central Market, Lal Kuan Chowk, Lahori Gate, Nangloi, South Extension Market, Ghitorni Metro Station, Rani Bagh Market, Katran Market in Mangolpuri, Gandhi Nagar Market, Chhattarpur near Tivoli Garden, Azad Market Chowk, Bhati Mines near Radha Soami Satsang and Paper Market in Ghazipur.
These arrangements are especially important in markets such as Gandhi Nagar, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, and Azad Market, where closely spaced shops, narrow passages, and large crowds can complicate firefighting and evacuation efforts.
A significant part of the deployment will comprise 20 motorcycle-mounted first responder teams carrying backpack-based mist fire-suppression equipment. Unlike conventional fire tenders, these units can negotiate narrow streets and crowded stretches, allowing firefighters to reach an incident site and begin initial suppression efforts before larger vehicles arrive.
The motorcycle teams will be positioned across several busy markets and neighbourhoods, including Gandhi Nagar Market, Laxmi Nagar, Paharganj, Mori Gate, Matke Wali Gali, Chawri Bazar, Lajpat Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Sadar Bazar in Delhi Cantonment, Burari, Nangloi and Moti Nagar.
Their deployment will also cover Bhajanpura, New Kondli, Hastal Village, Bapa Nagar, Alipur, Adarsh Nagar and areas around Ghitorni.
The initiative is expected to be particularly useful in the walled city and other densely populated localities, where a fire can spread rapidly through adjoining establishments and access for large emergency vehicles is often restricted.
The department will simultaneously position all 50 QRVs at identified strategic points to strengthen coverage across the capital. These vehicles will be stationed around key road junctions, metro stations, commercial areas, and residential neighbourhoods, including Peeragarhi Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, Mahipalpur Red Light, Khanpur T-Point, Burari Chowk, Azadpur Metro Station, Wazirabad Flyover, and Sarai Kale Khan Flyover.
Other deployment points include Gandhi Nagar, ITO, Welcome Metro Station, Anand Vihar ISBT, Paharganj, Qutub Minar, Rajouri Garden, Akshardham, Jamia Millia Islamia, Shakurpur Metro Station, Khajuri Chowk,
Red Fort, Patel Nagar, Vivek Vihar, Dwarka, Mundka Industrial Area, Mangolpuri and Shastri Nagar.
By stationing these vehicles closer to high-risk areas, the department intends to avoid delays caused by sending emergency teams from fire stations located at a considerable distance from an incident site.
In addition to field deployment, the department has put its support infrastructure on alert. Its fire control room, automobile division and workshops will function under heightened preparedness to ensure uninterrupted emergency operations.
The automobile and workshop teams will closely monitor the condition of fire engines, QRVs, and other equipment. At the same time, the control room will ensure distress calls are attended to promptly and dispatch the nearest available response units.
The department has also decided to restrict routine leave for firefighters during the critical deployment period to ensure adequate workforce at stations and operational units. The arrangement is intended to help the force respond to simultaneous emergencies without affecting its firefighting capacity.
With markets and commercial establishments expected to see increased activity ahead of the festival, the department plans to combine conventional firefighting resources with smaller, mobile units that can reach hard-to-access areas and tackle fires early.