Delhi Unveils 25-Year Firefighting Plan: AI, Drones, and 3x More Fire Stations
The Delhi government has unveiled a comprehensive 25-year firefighting blueprint to address the growing challenge of fire safety in the national capital. The 23-page document, accessed by The Indian Express, acknowledges that the city's unplanned growth has outpaced its existing firefighting capacity and outlines a multi-pronged strategy involving advanced technology and infrastructure expansion.
According to the plan, the number of fire stations in Delhi will nearly triple from the current 67 to around 200 by 2049. This expansion aims to reduce response times, which currently exceed the ideal eight-minute target in many areas. The blueprint also emphasizes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for dispatch systems to optimize resource allocation and ensure the nearest available fire tender reaches the site of an emergency.
Drones equipped with thermal cameras and firefighting capabilities are a key component of the future strategy. These drones will be used for surveillance, damage assessment, and even delivering fire extinguishers to high-rise buildings or inaccessible locations. The plan also proposes a dedicated firefighting water supply network with hydrants at strategic intervals, reducing reliance on tankers.
The document highlights the need for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms in buildings, especially in unauthorised colonies and overcrowded commercial areas. It recommends the creation of a centralised fire safety database to track compliance and identify high-risk zones. Public awareness campaigns and community fire safety training are also part of the long-term vision.
Experts have welcomed the plan but caution that implementation will be key. "Delhi's fire services have been underfunded and understaffed for decades. This blueprint is ambitious, but it will require consistent political will and financial commitment," said a retired fire officer familiar with the plan. The government estimates the project will cost several thousand crore rupees over the next two decades.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over fire incidents in the city, including a deadly blaze at a hotel in central Delhi earlier this year that killed 17 people. The Delhi Fire Service currently responds to an average of over 10,000 fire calls annually, a number that is expected to rise with the city's population growth.
