As per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), 6,891 individuals lost their lives and 284 were wounded in 7,054 fire incidents during 2023, stated the Lok Sabha. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai highlighted that State governments bear the primary responsibility for enhancing fire services to prevent such tragedies within their jurisdictions. The Central government’s role is to provide guidance and support to states in policy matters related to fire safety measures.
The Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized the importance of enforcing fire safety regulations, conducting inspections, and implementing accountability mechanisms to prevent fire incidents. These measures are governed by the State Fire Service Acts/Rules and local statutory provisions. Additionally, the Bureau of Indian Standards has issued the National Building Code of India (NBC), 2016, which outlines comprehensive guidelines for construction, maintenance, and fire safety in structures.
In efforts to align with international best practices, the NBC, 2016, was revised to incorporate aspects like smoke management, periodic audits, electrical fire prevention, and advanced firefighting technologies. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs introduced the Model Building Bye Laws 2016, containing a dedicated chapter on fire protection and safety standards. The effective enforcement of these norms falls under the jurisdiction of the States/UTs.
Recognizing the necessity for enhancing fire services nationwide, the 15th Finance Commission recommended allocating Rs 5,000 crore for strengthening state-level fire services. Subsequently, the Central Government initiated the “Scheme for Expansion and Modernisation of Fire Services in the States” on July 4, 2023. This scheme, funded through the National Disaster Response Fund, aims to bolster fire services across states with a total central outlay of Rs 5,000 crore by establishing new fire stations, upgrading training centers, and providing modern firefighting equipment.
