CM orders preparation of citywide Fire Fighting Master Plan
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday ordered the preparation of a citywide Fire Fighting Master Plan and asked all departments concerned to submit, within 10 days, a detailed blueprint on recurring fire risks, vulnerable locations, system failures, and preventive solutions.
The directive came during a high-level fire safety review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat amid growing concern over recent fire incidents in the capital.
The Chief Minister said negligence in matters involving public safety would not be tolerated and warned that accountability would be fixed if lapses by any department were found in future fire tragedies.
The proposed master plan is intended to create a long-term prevention and response system aimed at reducing both casualties and property loss in Delhi, particularly during the summer months when fire incidents usually rise. Officials from the Delhi Fire Service, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Disaster Management Authority, power utilities, and other agencies attended the meeting along with Home and Power Minister Ashish Sood and Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma.
The Chief Minister directed every concerned department to identify the main causes behind repeated fires, map sensitive zones, examine weaknesses in current emergency systems, and suggest concrete corrective measures. She said the government wants a result-oriented mechanism instead of fragmented responses after each incident. According to officials present in the meeting, the fire department has been asked to assess manpower shortages, requirements for new fire stations, and the need for modern firefighting equipment.
The Chief Minister assured departments that the government would provide budgetary support to strengthen emergency preparedness if gaps are clearly identified. She also instructed officials to study previous fire cases in detail so that a standardised response model can be prepared for faster rescue and better containment.
A major part of the review focused on civic and structural conditions that often worsen fire emergencies in Delhi. The Chief Minister directed the municipal corporation to ensure strict monitoring of illegal constructions in residential areas and to remove encroachments from narrow roads and lanes that obstruct the movement of fire tenders.
Officials were told that access routes in congested colonies must remain clear because delayed vehicle entry often increases the scale of destruction. Power department agencies were also asked to maintain greater caution while granting electricity connections and to conduct regular inspections of vulnerable electrical infrastructure.
The Chief Minister said while fires may begin due to multiple causes, government agencies have the responsibility to reduce preventable risks and improve the speed of intervention. The government is also planning a large-scale public awareness campaign as part of the new fire safety strategy.
Officials said citizens will be educated about household fire hazards, safe wiring practices, LPG handling, emergency reporting, and evacuation behaviour. Mock drills are also proposed in residential colonies to improve public readiness during fire emergencies.
Home and Power Minister Ashish Sood said the government intends to strengthen Delhi Fire Services with a long-term vision and equip it to handle the city’s needs over the next 25 years. He said modern machines and advanced firefighting technology would be added in phases, while awareness campaigns would be run with the help of resident welfare associations, market bodies, social organisations, and religious institutions.
Vivek Vihar fire: Investigators examine electrical overloading, building violations
New Delhi: Investigators probing the deadly fire at a residential building in Vivek Vihar are examining possible electrical overloading and alleged building violations to ascertain the exact cause of the blaze, police said on Wednesday.
Nine people, including a toddler, died in the fire at the four-story building on Sunday, while several others were rescued amid chaotic scenes. Sources said the electricity department, fire department, and crime investigation teams are inspecting to determine the exact reason and the amount of electricity load being used in the building at the time of the incident.
“We have not received the FSL report so far. Meanwhile, the electricity department is comparing the sanctioned load of the electricity meter,” the police said. Investigators suspect that excessive power consumption beyond the approved limit could have triggered the fire.
Police have also written to the MCD seeking a structural inspection of the building and requesting that residents not be allowed to stay there till the inquiry is completed. Police have also asked the civic body to inspect nearby buildings to identify similar safety violations.
“The exact cause of the fire will be known after the report comes. The process may take time,” the officer said.
