Amid Diwali celebrations in Chandigarh, while the Municipal Corporation’s (MC’s) Fire and Rescue Services responded to 18 emergency calls, including one bogus call, police attended 137 crackers-related and 22 fire incidents calls on Monday.
Most incidents involved minor fires in garbage heaps, dry grass, and waste materials. No loss of life or major injuries was reported. Property damage was minimal and localised, according to the fire department.
This year the fire department saw a notable decline in fire-related incidents, with only 17 genuine calls compared to 21 in 2023 and 20 in 2024.
Chandigarh was divided into seven strategic Fire Zones, each overseen by a Station Fire Officer.
Fire tenders were deployed at high-footfall and vulnerable areas including Patel Market (Sector 15), Plaza (Sector 17), Sadar/Palika Bazar (Sector 19), Aroma Light Point covering Shastri Market (Sector 22), Grain Market (Sector 26), and Main Bazar (Manimajra).
Fire vehicles were stationed at 12 cracker sale sites designated by the District Magistrate, UT Chandigarh, to ensure safety and rapid response if needed.
All operational leaves of firefighters were restricted from October 19 to October 21, ensuring full deployment of fire personnel during the festival. A dedicated WhatsApp group was established for seamless coordination and communication among officers and field staff.
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All fire vehicles also underwent thorough serviceability checks, and first-aid kits were fully refilled to provide immediate medical support if needed.
Also, 850 police personnel were deployed in busy markets, colonies, and residential areas. A special lady squad was deployed in the markets. Further 42 floating nakas (barricades) were laid down at different locations in the city to curb the snatching incidents.
To tackle the vehicle parking woes, 38 lots were identified in different locations in the city, especially school grounds to facilitate the general public. Moreover, 137 fire crackers-related and 22 fire incidents calls were reported which were responded immediately by the city police officials.
Similarly sweets were also distributed to all the force deployed on duty to mark the gesture of Diwali celebration. Even SSP UT personally distributed the sweets to the force while supervising the duties in the city.
