New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- Delhi recorded 36,877 emergency calls in 2025-26, the highest in six years, with fire-related incidents accounting for 55.26 per cent of the total, Lieutenant-Governor Sardar TS Sandhu said on Friday. Nearly 99 per cent of fire incidents occurred in premises without valid fire safety certificates, particularly in unauthorised colonies and buildings where poor access delayed fire tenders.

At a review meeting of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), chaired by Sandhu and Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood, officials reviewed operational preparedness, emergency response and public safety. Risks arising from electricity use beyond sanctioned loads and combustible materials were also highlighted.

Delhi has 71 fire stations, including four day-time stations, against the Master Plan norm of at least 120 to ensure a five-minute response time. Sandhu directed officials to review response times, prepare zone-wise action plans with measurable targets and improve coordination with the traffic police, MCD, DDA and other agencies. He also called for regular fire risk mapping and mock drills in vulnerable areas.

Emphasising fire safety awareness, inspections and audits across residential buildings, markets, industrial premises and mixed-use areas, Sandhu directed officials to identify buildings with recurring violations and take corrective action. He also called for better access to emergency helplines, fire safety guidance and follow-up on complaints.

Sandhu directed the DFS to expedite recruitment, pursue pending manpower proposals and prioritise firefighting equipment procurement. The department presented a modernisation plan for 197 new appliances, including nine articulated water towers.

Proposed technological upgrades include an integrated command and control centre, vehicle tracking, real-time incident updates, GIS-based tracking, live streaming from fire scenes and a citizen app. An integrated UHF/RF network, comprising five zonal control rooms and a master control room, is also planned to address communication blackouts.

Land has been made available for 23 new fire stations, while agencies have been directed to allot land for another 27.

The target is to expand the network from 71 to 121 stations through time-bound decisions and a coordinated construction plan.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.