New Delhi: In the wake of the Vivek Vihar fire tragedy last week, chief minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said Delhi govt would take action against those responsible if lapses on the part of any agency or official are found, to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future. She also directed the East Delhi district magistrate to submit a detailed report with a complete, minute-by-minute timeline of the incident.The chief minister has called a high-powered meeting involving multiple departments, including Delhi Fire Service, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police and the health department, on Wednesday. Officials said the meeting will review the Vivek Vihar fire as well as the recent blaze in Palam.
Expressing anger over reported lapses following the Vivek Vihar tragedy, Gupta said accountability would be fixed at every level. “The chief minister has sought a detailed, time-bound report fixing accountability at each stage—from when the first distress call was received, to when fire tenders reached the spot, what issues were faced, and when the fire was finally brought under control,” an official said.Gupta directed all departments concerned to fix responsibility for negligence and ensure strict enforcement of fire safety norms. Issuing a stern warning to officials, she said any compromise on fire safety standards would invite strict action. The remarks came after the chief minister met the families of the victims and assured them of full support from the govt.“Today, I met the families of the victims of the fire accident in Vivek Vihar. In this hour of grief, we stand with them with sensitivity and resolve, and we are committed to providing every possible assistance,” Gupta said in a post on X. Calling the incident a “grave warning”, she said instructions had been issued to all departments to ensure such incidents do not recur and that fire safety norms are strictly followed.A major fire tore through a residential building in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar early Sunday morning, killing nine people and injuring several others. Initial findings suggested that the blaze was triggered by an air-conditioner explosion. It took around four to five hours to bring the fire under control, and the charred bodies were recovered during a subsequent search of the building.During her visit, the chief minister interacted with affected families and reviewed the relief measures being extended by the govt. She said no affected family would be left without support and that both immediate and long-term assistance would be provided.Officials also flagged concerns over buildings being issued completion certificates despite violations of fire safety norms. “The chief minister has also sought updates on the medical treatment being provided to the injured,” an official said.
