The Delhi government is preparing a comprehensive and result-oriented Fire Fighting Master Plan to prevent fire incidents and save loss of life and property in the national capital.
In this direction, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed all concerned departments to submit a detailed blueprint within 10 days identifying the causes of recurring fire incidents, vulnerable zones, gaps in existing systems, and concrete preventive measures.
Gupta stressed the need for immediate and effective public awareness initiatives to educate citizens on fire safety and prevention.
Treating fire prevention as a top priority, the chief minister chaired a high-level review meeting on Wednesday. During the meeting, attended by Home and Power Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma and senior officials from the Delhi Fire Service, MCD, DDMA, power utilities and other departments, extensive discussions were held on the current fire safety situation in Delhi, the challenges being faced, and long-term solutions.
Gupta said all the departments connected with fire prevention must become more accountable, responsive and better equipped so that there is no room for negligence or administrative lapses.
Expressing concern over recent fire incidents in the city, the CM said strict action would be taken against any official found negligent. “No laxity will be tolerated in matters related to public safety,” she said.
The CM directed the Fire Department to increase manpower, open new fire stations and procure modern equipment, assuring officials that the government would provide adequate budgetary support for the same.
She also asked departments 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.
The CM underlined the need for coordination among departments to tackle fire-related emergencies effectively, and instructed the MCD to ensure that no illegal constructions come up in residential areas and that roads and lanes remain free from encroachments so that fire tenders can move without obstruction during emergencies.
She directed Power Department officials to exercise extra caution while granting electricity connections and regularly inspect vulnerable areas to check the condition of electrical infrastructure.
Sood assured the meeting that the government would strengthen the Fire Services to protect the capital from incidents over the next 25 years.
He said the department would be equipped with modern machinery and advanced firefighting equipment in line with future requirements.
The minister stressed the need for large-scale awareness campaigns to prevent fire-related incidents in Delhi.