CM Rekha Gupta Calls for Comprehensive Fire Fighting Master Plan to Prevent Fire Tragedies

High-level meeting on fire safety held in Delhi, departments asked to fix accountability

Negligence in fire incidents will not be tolerated, warns CM Rekha Gupta

Government to monitor illegal constructions and encroachments, public awareness campaign also planned

New Delhi, May 2026 : The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, is preparing a comprehensive and result-oriented Fire Fighting Master Plan aimed at preventing fire incidents and reducing the loss of life and property in the capital. Taking swift action on the issue, the Chief Minister has directed all concerned departments to submit a detailed blueprint within 10 days, identifying the causes behind recurring fire incidents, vulnerable zones, gaps in existing systems, and concrete preventive measures. She also 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 at the Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Home and Power Minister Shri Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Shri Rajiv Verma and senior officials from the Delhi Fire Service, MCD, DDMA, power utilities and other departments. During the meeting, officials held extensive discussions on the current fire safety situation in Delhi, the challenges being faced, and long-term solutions. CM Rekha Gupta said all 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 Chief Minister 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 Chief Minister 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.

CM Rekha Gupta underlined the need for coordinated action among departments to tackle fire-related emergencies effectively. She instructed the Municipal Corporation 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 also directed power department officials to exercise extra caution while granting electricity connections and regularly inspect vulnerable areas to check the condition of electrical infrastructure. The Chief Minister noted that fires can break out due to several reasons, but it is the responsibility of government agencies to ensure that such incidents are brought under control quickly to prevent major damage.

The government, she said, wants to strengthen the operational capacity of all departments so that fire incidents in the national capital can be reduced significantly and controlled swiftly whenever they occur. Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said inputs received from various departments would form the basis of a strong and effective Fire Fighting Master Plan, especially keeping in mind the rise in fire incidents during the summer season.

She added that a large-scale awareness campaign would also be launched across Delhi to educate people about fire safety measures at home and in public spaces. The government also plans to conduct mock drills in residential colonies to improve emergency preparedness among citizens.

Delhi Home and Power Minister Shri Ashish Sood said the government would strengthen the Fire Services Department to protect the capital from fire 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. He also stressed the need for large-scale awareness campaigns to prevent fire-related incidents in Delhi. The government, he said, would work with RWAs, market associations, various organisations and religious institutions to spread awareness about fire safety. Different government departments would also be involved to further strengthen the campaign.