New Delhi, March 20: Devendra Yadav, the President of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, expressed deep concern over the tragic fire incident that occurred on March 18 in a five-story building in Palam, resulting in the heartbreaking deaths of nine individuals. Yadav has urged the Lieutenant Governor to form a committee to investigate the incident.
He highlighted that from 2016 to 2025, a staggering 4,652 people lost their lives due to fire-related incidents in Delhi. Alarmingly, in just the first two and a half months of 2026, 24 fatalities have already been reported.
Yadav criticized the current BJP government, stating that the rising incidents of fires, building collapses, and other accidents have turned Delhi into the capital of mishaps. He accused the government and its ministers of ignoring the current situation while focusing on future plans and events.
The delay in the arrival of fire department vehicles—taking over an hour—and the failure of hydraulic machines to operate contributed to the fatalities. Yadav emphasized that had the fire trucks arrived promptly, lives could have been saved. He pointed out that the Palam incident exposed the inadequacies in the fire department’s manpower.
Currently, the fire department operates with only 20 water tenders instead of the required 40. Additionally, essential equipment like water bouncers and hydraulic lifts are significantly lacking. Yadav noted that the main control room of the fire department has only four officers overseeing 100 personnel, rendering the department ineffective.
He also raised concerns about the lack of recruitment for fire station officers since 2012. There is a need for 90 station officers across 70 fire stations, yet only 18 are currently on duty, with 12 nearing retirement. This severe shortage of manpower and resources has crippled the fire department, increasing the risk to public safety.
Yadav pointed out that fires frequently break out in slum areas during the summer months, endangering the lives and property of vulnerable populations. He called for a detailed report from the committee to be formed by the Lieutenant Governor, focusing on preventive measures against fires in slums and other areas, to mitigate such incidents in the future.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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