Delhi fire services gear up for busy Diwali

NEW DELHI: Anticipating a busy Diwali, the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) has cancelled leave applications of all its personnel, even as the Supreme Court has put some restrictions on bursting of crackers this year, officials said on Monday.

Last year, as many as 190 fire related incidents were reported in the national capital on Diwali. This year, the DFS expects a similar number of calls.

“Even last year there was a ban on the sale of firecrackers, but we got close to 200 calls. This year, there are time restrictions on bursting of firecrackers and only green firecrackers can be sold in the market. However, people find ways to flout norms,” he added.

Besides the 59 permanent fire stations in the national capital, the department has set up temporary stations at different locations across the city.

On November 6, water tenders will be stationed from 5 pm to midnight at 12 prominent marketplace locations — Tilak Nagar, Azad Market Chowk, Rani Bagh Market, Central Market in Lajpat Nagar, Gandhi Nagar Market, Ghitorni Metro Station, Sangam Vihar, Mundka Metro Station, and Chhatarpur near Tivoli Garden.

On Wednesday, water tenders will be stationed at the places mentioned above and some other busy locations, he said.

Nine motorcycles with fire fighting equipments would be stationed at nine places including Ambdekar Nagar police station, Kapashera, Shadipur Depot, and Chandni Chowk among other places to douse fire on the streets and narrow lanes.

Eleven multi-purpose vehicles (Innova/Xylo) will be deployed in areas like Hari Nagar, Geeta Colony, etc. to handle fire mishaps in narrow lanes and streets.