Rekha Gupta Mourns Rohini Fire Victims, Highlights Need for Safer Urban Housing

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Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has highlighted the urgent need for safer housing in the capital’s slum areas after visiting the site of a devastating fire in Rohini that killed two children and left over 800 families without shelter. Gupta expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and reaffirmed her government’s commitment to improving living conditions in informal settlements.

The fire, which broke out in the early morning hours, tore through the cluster in Sector 23 of Rohini, causing massive destruction. Fire services battled the blaze for hours, but by the time it was brought under control, the damage was already done. With over 800 jhuggis destroyed, the incident has triggered a renewed debate about urban safety and infrastructure equity in the capital.

CM Gupta, addressing the press during her visit to the affected area, said, “This is not just a fire tragedy—it’s a failure of our urban systems to protect the most vulnerable. We need a complete transformation in how we approach housing for the poor.”

The Chief Minister announced emergency aid packages, including cash compensation for families of the deceased and injured, ration supplies, free medical treatment, and counseling services. She also stated that the government would begin planning for a model resettlement colony in the area to prevent such disasters in the future.

“The people who live in these jhuggis work hard every day to build this city. It is our moral duty to give them safe, dignified living conditions,” she said.

The Delhi government’s 2025 budget includes a ₹696 crore allocation for slum development, with a special focus on in-situ redevelopment projects. Gupta referenced this during her visit, emphasizing that slum rehabilitation is one of the top priorities for her administration.

In collaboration with the DDA (Delhi Development Authority) and PMAY, the Delhi government plans to transition 1.5 lakh slum households into pucca homes over the next two years. The Rohini incident is expected to fast-track this mission.

Fire safety experts have long raised concerns over the lack of basic infrastructure in Delhi’s informal settlements. Narrow pathways, absence of fire hydrants, and unregulated electricity connections contribute to the frequency and severity of such incidents.

Gupta acknowledged these challenges and announced a task force that will conduct safety audits of all major slum clusters in the capital within the next six months. “This tragedy cannot be in vain. It must become the reason we bring about serious change,” she said.

Local NGOs and social activists have welcomed the Chief Minister’s commitment but urged the administration to follow through with concrete actions. “We’ve seen promises made before, but what we need now is consistent implementation,” said Anil Kumar, head of a Rohini-based slum welfare organization.

In a moving moment during her visit, Gupta knelt beside a grieving mother and listened to her account of the moments before the fire engulfed her hut. The scene captured the human cost of urban neglect and the pressing need for systemic reform.

The Delhi High Court has also taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and sought a report from the Delhi government on the rehabilitation plan. It has directed that no family be evicted from the temporary shelters until permanent arrangements are made.

Meanwhile, relief operations continue, with community kitchens, medical tents, and counseling camps operating 24/7 in the vicinity of the tragedy.

The Rohini fire has stirred the conscience of Delhi’s residents and reignited calls for humane urban development. CM Rekha Gupta’s strong response and policy focus may mark a turning point in how the city treats its most vulnerable.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar

Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.