Ludhiana, a major industrial centre in Punjab, is facing a severe crisis in its firefighting capabilities due to a critical shortage of staff. This alarming situation has placed immense pressure on the existing workforce, with fire personnel often being forced to work gruelling 12-hour shifts during emergencies to protect the city.
Municipal Corporation Proposes Solution to Long-Standing Problem
In a bid to tackle this persistent issue, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has finally taken a concrete step. It has circulated an agenda proposing the creation of numerous additional positions within the fire department. This crucial proposal is set to be presented before the MC general house for approval in its upcoming meeting scheduled for December 26.
Severe Manpower Crunch Despite Adequate Equipment
The proposal highlights a stark contradiction in Ludhiana's fire safety preparedness. The city currently operates six fire stations with a fleet of 22 fire tenders and vehicles, with an expectation of receiving five more from the directorate of the local government department. However, officials have pointed out that the real bottleneck is not the equipment but the severe lack of trained personnel to operate it effectively.
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Jaswinder Singh Bhangu explained the gravity of the situation. He stated that according to the Punjab Fire Service rules, each fire tender must be manned by a crew of one leading fireman, four firemen, and one driver. This mandatory requirement is currently not being met in Ludhiana, severely compromising response efficiency.
To bridge this gap, the fire brigade has urgently requested the creation of a significant number of new posts. The required numbers are:
- 48 posts of leading firemen
- 47 posts of drivers
- 178 posts of firemen
This totals 273 new positions needed to bring the department up to sanctioned strength. The proposal seeking the MC house's approval for these creations has already been submitted.
City's High Vulnerability and Need for Infrastructure Expansion
A senior fire official, speaking anonymously, warned that while the city might have sufficient fire tenders for now, the staff strength is deteriorating daily. He cautioned that even with more equipment expected in the future, effective deployment would remain a major challenge without adequate manpower.
The official also emphasised the need for infrastructural expansion, stating that Ludhiana requires at least two more fire stations. This would ensure better distribution of fire tenders and provide more comprehensive coverage across the vast industrial city.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by Ludhiana's grim record. Fire officials confirm that the city accounts for the highest number of fire incidents in the entire state of Punjab. In this year alone, the city has reported more than 1,000 fire incidents.
While most incidents typically peak during the summer months of April, May, and June, this year saw an unusual spike during the Diwali celebrations. The month of November also recorded a higher-than-usual number of fire calls, highlighting the year-round vulnerability.
The following box details the current staff strength and the massive gap that needs to be filled:
Staff Strength & Required Posts
Post | Sanctioned Strength (Now) | Required Posts | Posts to be Created
Leading Fireman | 18 | 66 | 48
Driver | 19 | 66 | 47
Fireman | 86 | 264 | 178
Recent Fire Incidents in Ludhiana (2023–2025):
- Nov 12, 2025: Vegetable market fire on Bahadur K Road. Casualties: None.
- Apr 01, 2025: Three fire incidents at multiple spots. Casualties: None.
- Jun 16, 2025: Two major fire incidents in Akalgarh market and RK Road. Casualties: None.
- Apr 27, 2024: Fire in garment factory at Saidan Chowk. Casualties: None.
- Mar 03, 2024: Fire in yarn godown and commercial complex roof. Casualties: None.
- Sep 17, 2024: Transformer fire spreads to mobile tower at Partap Chowk. Casualties: None.
- Aug 18, 2024: Two-wheeler fire on elevated road near Jagraon Bridge. Casualties: None.
- Jun 01, 2023: Fire in dyeing unit on Tajpur Road. Casualties: None.
The December 26 meeting of the Municipal Corporation general house now holds the key to addressing this critical public safety issue. The approval of the new posts could mark a turning point in strengthening Ludhiana's defences against the ever-present threat of fire.
