In response to a recent fire incident, Delhi's Home and Urban Development Minister, Ashish Sood, conducted a visit to the Vasant Vihar night shelter on Tuesday. The minister announced that the government is actively considering providing financial assistance to the families of the victims affected by the blaze.
Probe Ordered and Immediate Actions
Minister Sood confirmed that the fire department and police are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Taking swift action, he has ordered comprehensive forensic and physical audits of all night shelters operating across the national capital. A key safety directive issued bans the use of traditional coal braziers, known as 'angithi', within these facilities to prevent future fire risks.
The minister stated that improved and safer heating arrangements will be implemented, and new tenders are already underway to upgrade the existing shelter infrastructure. This move aims to address the recurring concerns over safety for the city's homeless population.
NGO Highlights Systemic Gaps
The incident has prompted serious concerns from civil society. Prior to the minister's visit, an NGO named the Centre for Holistic Development had written to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). Their letter pointed out that repeated fire incidents at night shelters expose critical gaps in fire-safety preparedness and a lack of adequate infrastructure for this vulnerable segment.
The NGO put forward a detailed set of recommendations to overhaul the system:
- Immediate fire-safety audits of all permanent, temporary, and tent shelters by the Delhi Chief Fire Officer.
- Formulation and strict enforcement of specific fire-safety norms for shelters.
- Conversion of all temporary shelters into permanent structures under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission guidelines.
- Professional auditing of all electrical wiring and connections.
- Provision of fireproof and waterproof tents, installation of fire-fighting equipment, and mandatory training for all shelter caretakers to handle emergencies.
Path Forward for Shelter Safety
The combined pressure from the tragic incident, NGO advocacy, and now ministerial action has brought the plight of night shelter safety into sharp focus. The ordered audits and planned upgrades signal a governmental push towards creating a safer environment for Delhi's homeless residents. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on their speedy and transparent implementation, ensuring such preventable tragedies are avoided in the future.
