Delhi is set to revise its fire-safety system by introducing qualified third-party auditors to inspect safety arrangements in buildings, while developing a faster emergency response mechanism to reduce deaths and property losses in fire incidents. The proposed changes were outlined by the Delhi government as part of a wider plan to amend the rules governing the Delhi Fire Service.
Home Minister Ashish Sood said on Tuesday that the government wants to build a modern, fast and fully capable emergency response system for the capital. The plan was prepared after a recent review meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu, according to information reported by Jagran – New Delhi.
Under the proposed inspection system, auditors and architects already empanelled with municipal corporations will be listed and trained to assess fire-safety arrangements in buildings. The move would create an additional inspection mechanism involving qualified professionals outside the routine fire-service structure. The report did not specify when the new system would begin, how auditors would be appointed or what penalties would apply to buildings that fail inspections.
The proposed changes are being framed around the conditions that make firefighting more difficult in Delhi. These include narrow lanes, high population density, traffic congestion and an excessive load on electrical wires. The government has also identified the increasing use of plastic and artificial decorative materials in homes as a growing fire risk.
The plan places building-level safety checks alongside emergency response capacity. Fire safety in dense neighbourhoods depends not only on the availability of firefighting personnel and equipment, but also on whether buildings maintain usable exits, safe electrical systems and other protective arrangements. The source report, however, did not provide details of the specific safety standards that third-party auditors would apply or whether their findings would be made public.
The proposed involvement of municipal-panel auditors and architects also points to a coordination requirement between the Delhi Fire Service, municipal corporations and building owners. The report did not clarify whether third-party inspections would replace existing fire-service approvals or operate as a supplementary system. It also did not state whether the arrangement would initially cover all buildings or be limited to particular categories, such as high-rise, commercial or densely occupied properties.
Delhi’s fire-response challenges are closely linked to the physical form of its neighbourhoods. Narrow streets can delay the movement of fire engines, while congestion can obstruct access during emergencies. Overloaded electrical networks and combustible household materials can increase the risk of fires spreading before response teams reach the affected building. The government said the new action plan has taken these conditions into account.
The proposed rule changes will therefore determine how responsibilities are divided between public agencies, private professionals and property owners. They will also determine whether inspections become more regular and consistent, or simply add another layer to the existing approval process. Those operational details have not yet been announced.
The next formal step is an amendment to the Delhi Fire Service rules. The government has not provided a public timeline for issuing the revised rules, training the empanelled auditors and architects, or starting third-party inspections. Further details are expected as the action plan prepared after the Lieutenant Governor-led review is implemented.
