In an effort to enhance emergency response coordination, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu conducted a review of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) on Thursday. He advocated for the integration of fire, ambulance, and police control room (PCR) services into a unified emergency call system, emphasizing the necessity for these services to operate from a shared location.
During the meeting, officials reported that the Lieutenant Governor underscored the importance of a smooth backend integration of emergency services, as fire emergencies often necessitate the involvement of multiple agencies simultaneously.
According to a statement from the LG’s office, “The LG assessed the performance of the Delhi Fire Service, concentrating on modernization efforts, infrastructure improvements, and the enhancement of personnel capabilities to optimize Delhi’s emergency response framework.”
The review also addressed proposed changes to the Delhi Fire Service Rules established in 2010. The LG emphasized the importance of engaging with local residents, businesses, and traders prior to finalizing any modifications. A spokesperson noted, “He stressed the need for inclusive consultations to ensure that the regulatory framework is effective, practical, and serves the community well.”
With the onset of rising temperatures, the LG reviewed the DFS’s Summer Action Plan and called for increased vigilance in the upcoming months. He highlighted the necessity for public awareness initiatives focused on fire prevention and emergency preparedness, particularly targeting schools, hospitals, and residential areas.
Officials informed the LG about plans for administrative restructuring within the DFS, proposing an increase in operational zones from three to five, divisions from six to thirteen, and sub-divisions from eighteen to thirty-nine, aligning with existing revenue districts. The LG instructed that this restructuring be expedited and requested a timeline for the recruitment of personnel to fill existing vacancies.
Additionally, the LG raised concerns regarding the expansion of fire safety infrastructure. With 71 fire stations currently in operation, he requested a detailed strategy to enhance capabilities in response to the city’s growing population.
In the fiscal year 2025-26, the DFS managed a total of 36,877 emergency calls, which encompassed fire incidents, rescue operations, and animal-related emergencies, showcasing the agency’s expanding role as a first responder.
This review by the LG follows a tragic incident from nearly a month ago, where a fire in a building in Southwest Delhi’s Palam led to the deaths of nine family members, including a 70-year-old woman and three of her granddaughters.
Devansh Mittal, a correspondent for The Indian Express stationed in the New Delhi City bureau, specializes in urban policy, civic governance, and infrastructure within the National Capital Region. His reporting increasingly emphasizes housing, land policy, transportation issues, and the social ramifications of economic disruptions.
Devansh holds a degree in Political Science from Ashoka University and focuses on policy and governance in one of the world’s largest urban areas, covering topics such as housing and land policy, municipal governance, and urban transport, while also exploring the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and daily life in the city.
His recent notable work includes investigations into urban policy impacts, such as the challenges faced by homebuyers in subvention-linked projects, the stagnation of Delhi’s land-pooling policy since 2007, and the ramifications of the collapse of an electric mobility startup for women drivers reliant on its services.
Devansh’s journalistic approach combines field reporting with analysis of governmental data, court records, and academic research. He regularly engages with communities, government entities, and legal proceedings to elucidate how decisions regarding housing, transportation, and economic disruptions influence everyday life in the capital.
For updates, follow him on Twitter at @devanshmittal_ or contact him via email at devansh.mittal@expressindia.com.
