Fire At Nehru Place Market: Delhi High Court Directs Fire Department To Conduct Mock Drill For Identifying Shortcomings

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Delhi Fire Services to conduct a mock drill in the Nehru Place Market, on a working day, for the purpose of identifying shortcomings for the future. The order comes in the suo moto case registered by the Court following a fire incident at a building in the market. 

Justice Manmohan and Justice Navin Chawla also directed that the suggestions and recommendations put forward by the Fire Department may be considered by the Committee comprising of Chief Engineer, DDA, DCP (South East) and DCP (Traffic) and other officers, in order to keep a watch on such issues in the future.

Additionally, the Court asked the Chief Officer of the Fire Department to file an action taken report by the Committee, one week prior to the next date of hearing.

While doing so, the Court also issued notice to the Delhi Jal Board and sought it's response. That DJB was apparently carrying out repair work of sewage lines in the area.

Earlier, the Court had directed the Delhi Police and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to ensure no hawking and vending policy on a daily basis. It had also directed them to hold a joint meeting and file status reports with regard to the implementation of the no-hawking no-vending policy before the next date of hearing.

"The enormity of the problem caused by the hawkers and vendors at the Nehru Place area can be seen from a video circulated on social media which shows that it was difficult for the fire tenders to access the building where the fire broke out. It also shows the complete lack of any cleanliness or maintenance on the part of the Municipal Authorities.," the Court had said.

It was found by the Court that the hawkers and vendors had claimed the pavement space which was meant for circulation of pedestrians. Reliance was also placed on a video circulated on social media showing that it was difficult for the fire tenders to access the building where the fire broke out. 

The matter will now be considered on October 27.

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS