Saturday

12-07-2025 Vol 19

Rekha Gupta Stands with Rohini Fire Victims, Demands Accountability in Urban Crisis Management

In the aftermath of the catastrophic fire that tore through Rohini’s jhuggi cluster, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has emerged not only as a voice of compassion but also one demanding accountability and urgent reform in urban disaster management.

The fire, which began in the early hours of Sunday morning, spread rapidly across the informal settlement in Sector 23 of Rohini, claiming the lives of two children and displacing more than 800 families. The jhuggi structures—made mostly of plastic, wood, and other flammable materials—offered little protection. Many families awoke to chaos, with only minutes to flee as the blaze swallowed their homes.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who visited the site within hours, met survivors, consoled grieving families, and assured them of immediate assistance. Her visit, however, was not limited to sympathy. She called for an internal review of the emergency response and ordered a formal inquiry into the causes of the fire.

“This is not just a natural disaster—it reflects systemic failures in how we approach urban safety,” she said during her briefing. “Delhi cannot afford to treat these incidents as isolated. We must build a safety-first approach into our urban planning frameworks.”

Immediate Relief and Compensation

Gupta announced a compensation package to support victims:

  • ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased children.
  • ₹50,000 for each person injured.
  • ₹25,000 for families whose homes were completely destroyed.
  • Provision of temporary housing, cooked food, water, and health care at nearby schools and community centers.

She also directed the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to expedite the development of in-situ resettlement schemes in fire-prone zones and work toward permanent housing for slum residents.

Demand for Systemic Overhaul

CM Gupta emphasized that while relief is necessary, accountability must follow. She has formed a joint committee involving the Delhi Fire Services, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and the Public Works Department to assess:

  • Why fire hydrants weren’t functional in the area.
  • The absence of clear fire evacuation pathways.
  • Delay in power shut-off, which may have escalated the damage.

The Chief Minister called for a citywide audit of fire preparedness in all informal settlements within two months. “We’re not waiting for another tragedy to act. Every cluster must be inspected and upgraded to ensure it’s no longer a death trap,” she said.

A Broader Policy Vision

Gupta’s approach is not just reactive—it is policy-focused. She has called for a new “Urban Safety and Resilience Policy” that mandates integration of fire safety, sanitation, waste management, and electrification standards into all low-income housing projects. This policy is expected to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly in the upcoming monsoon session.

Urban experts and civic planners have supported the move. “CM Gupta’s shift from relief to resilience is a much-needed pivot in city governance,” said architect and urban researcher Meera Lal. “If implemented, this could redefine how we look at inclusive urban planning.”

Engaging Civil Society

Gupta also invited NGOs and community-based organizations to form local safety councils, which will act as first responders in jhuggi clusters. These councils will receive government-sponsored training in fire management, first aid, and emergency evacuation.

“We must empower communities from within. They are the first line of defense during disasters like this,” said Gupta.

Her government has also promised to make budget allocations for community infrastructure like elevated water tanks, public toilets, and solar-powered street lights, all of which reduce vulnerability during disasters.

Public Sentiment

The public response to Gupta’s handling of the Rohini fire has been largely positive. Her visible leadership, on-ground presence, and clarity of vision have been lauded. Survivors, though shaken, have expressed some relief at the speed of aid delivery.

“She came to us, sat with us, listened to us. That itself gave us hope,” said Kavita, a mother of three who lost her home.

As investigations continue and policy proposals are drafted, one thing is clear—CM Rekha Gupta is using this tragedy not just as a crisis to be managed, but as a tipping point to address Delhi’s deeper urban vulnerabilities.

Jitendra Kumar

Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.