4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jun 4, 2026 11:14 AM IST
Following the deadly South Delhi blaze, the Delhi government on Wednesday directed its departments concerned to launch a month-long drive beginning Thursday to check compliance of fire safety norms in all hotels, lodges, inns, nursing homes, coaching institutes, restaurants and other vulnerable commercial establishments.
Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, along with Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood, chaired an emergency meeting, in which these directions were issued, the L-G office said in a statement.
Delhi Police, MCD and Tourism department were also directed to jointly call meetings of all hotel associations. Further, authorities were directed to shut all rooms of hotels, lodges and inns that have additional rooms than what is permitted, the statement added.
Beginning Thursday, for the next 15 days, meetings will be held with representatives of these premises regarding their fire safety equipment and water supply system. Concurrent audit of these buildings will begin from June 4 and non-complying premises will be closed, the statement said.
Sood, meanwhile, directed that all B&Bs violating building plans and set guidelines be sealed. “No need to issue any showcause notice or give time to such owners for explanation. Just seal all the B&Bs,” he said.
He also directed that a high-level committee be constituted under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate South to inspect all B&Bs across the Capital.
Further, land owning agencies, Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Police were directed to conduct accessibility survey to identify the bottlenecks and chokepoints for fire tenders to reach any area in a colony. Identified chokepoints should be cleared wherever feasible at other places alternate fire-fighting arrangements be made, the LG office said.
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The government also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Malviya Nagar fire incident.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government is closely monitoring the situation and all necessary medical assistance and support are being extended to the affected families.
Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the devastating fire incident in Malviya Nagar.
My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and for strength & courage to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.…
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) June 3, 2026
“Immediately upon receiving information about the incident, teams of Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, CATS Ambulance Services and other emergency response agencies were mobilised and launched rescue and relief operations. Their swift response helped in rescuing & evacuating several persons from the affected premises,” she wrote in the post.
L-G Sandhu also expressed his condolences. He wrote in a post on X, “Deeply distressed by the tragic fire at a hotel in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar. My thoughts and condolences are with the families of the deceased, and I join all in praying for the swift recovery of those injured. Police, civil and fire rescue teams are currently on-site conducting operations. Officials have been spoken to & directed to ensure immediate medical aid, relief and a thorough investigation into this tragic incident.”
Former Delhi Chief Ministers and AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi expressed concern over the incident and hit out at the BJP government.
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Kejriwal said, “The continuous fire incidents in Delhi and the deaths of innocent people are extremely concerning.”
Atishi said, “Who will take responsibility for the repeated fire incidents in Delhi and the deaths of innocent people? Under the BJP government, why has the fire safety system deteriorated to such a deplorable state? After every tragedy, there are only statements, but accountability is nowhere to be seen. This negligence at the cost of people’s lives is no longer acceptable.”
