The tragic fire that swept through a jhuggi cluster in Rohini, Delhi, resulting in the deaths of two children and leaving over 800 families homeless, has sent shockwaves across the capital. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has since taken a firm stance, using the incident as a catalyst to advocate for urgent reforms in slum safety, infrastructure, and urban development.
The fire broke out just after midnight and spread rapidly through the tightly packed shanties made of tin, plastic, and wood. By the time fire personnel brought the situation under control, the damage had become irreversible. Families lost everything—homes, belongings, and in some cases, their loved ones.
CM Rekha Gupta, who rushed to the site within hours of the incident, was visibly moved by the scale of devastation. Offering condolences to the families of the deceased, she emphasized the need for long-term changes rather than short-term relief.
“This incident is not isolated—it is part of a larger systemic issue. We must ensure that no child has to die because of preventable disasters. This is the time to act, not just react,” Gupta said during a press briefing.
In immediate response, the Delhi government has:
- Announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of the two deceased children.
- Promised ₹50,000 for those injured and ₹25,000 to families who lost their homes.
- Set up temporary shelters with food and medical facilities in nearby schools and community centers.
- Deployed mobile health units and trauma counseling teams for psychological support.
Beyond the immediate measures, CM Gupta has promised to overhaul Delhi’s slum infrastructure through policy reform. The Chief Minister proposed a five-point urban safety initiative:
- Mandatory Fire Safety Inspections in all jhuggi clusters every six months.
- Installation of Community Fire Hydrants in all densely populated informal settlements.
- Training Programs for slum residents on fire response and first aid.
- Accelerated Housing Projects under PMAY to replace temporary homes with pucca houses.
- Real-Time Emergency Monitoring through digital mapping of high-risk areas.
“We can no longer afford to treat slums as temporary settlements. They are part of our urban reality. And as such, they deserve the same safety, dignity, and services as any other neighborhood,” Gupta declared.
The Rohini fire incident has exposed the vulnerability of over 1,700 jhuggi clusters across Delhi. Experts say unregulated electric connections, lack of firefighting infrastructure, and poor planning make these areas tinderboxes.
According to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), over 60% of fires in jhuggi settlements occur due to short circuits. In this case, initial investigations point to a similar cause.
“We were all asleep. Suddenly there were screams, then flames. It all happened so fast,” said Babita, a 32-year-old woman who lost her home and is now living in a temporary tent set up by the administration.
Gupta’s call for reform is not without precedent. In the 2025 Delhi Budget, her government allocated ₹696 crore for slum redevelopment—more than double the previous year. This fund is being directed toward in-situ rehabilitation and the construction of affordable housing.
Political parties across the aisle have voiced support for the reforms, though opposition leaders called for faster implementation. “The intent is welcome. What matters now is the execution,” said a senior Congress leader in the Delhi Assembly.
Human rights organizations have also urged the administration to ensure that temporary shelters meet humanitarian standards. “While we commend the government’s rapid deployment of aid, there must be ongoing monitoring to ensure that displaced families do not fall through the cracks,” said a representative from the NGO Housing Justice Delhi.
In a personal moment during her visit, CM Gupta sat with a young mother who had lost both her children in the fire. With tears in her eyes, the Chief Minister promised to name the upcoming resettlement site in memory of the children, symbolizing hope rising from tragedy.
The incident has galvanized Delhi’s civic bodies into action. The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has announced that it will clear illegal dumping near jhuggi areas, which often acts as kindling during fires. Meanwhile, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has been asked to audit and upgrade power lines running through informal settlements.
Gupta concluded her visit with a message of resolve: “This tragedy is our collective failure. But it will also be the beginning of change. We will honor the lives lost by ensuring that such a disaster never happens again.”
