India, May 18 -- A detailed fire risk and infrastructure assessment, commissioned by the Union home ministry (MHA) in 2011, had identified severe gaps in Delhi's firefighting infrastructure, manpower and emergency response systems, recommending large-scale expansion and modernisation measures that remain only partially implemented. Over 15 years later, most of the recommendations are still only on paper.

The contents of the report find fresh significance in light of a series of deadly blazes in the Capital that have highlighted deficiencies in the city's fire safety preparedness.

The report, accessed by HT, titled "Fire Hazard and Risk Analysis in the Country for Revamping the Fire Services in the Country", was prepared by a risk manage...