The heartbreaking incident at a hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, where at least 11 newborn babies were killed in a devastating fire last month, has shaken the entire nation. An investigation byThe Indian Express noted how fire safety regulations were not up to code in hospitals where fires have broken out in the last five years in most cases.
Fires in hospitals are not a new issue in India, yet we are still not learning from the mistakes. Fire safety measures are mandatory for all institutions, yet the system remains fundamentally flawed due to widespread corruption in obtaining fire no-objection certificates.
The tragedy also highlights a more troubling issue — our country is woefully under-resourced to handle fires. Whether it’s the lack of fire stations, the shortage of trained firefighters, or the insufficient number of fire trucks and equipment, the gaps are glaring and put millions of lives at risk.
This article draws on data from a Rajya Sabha response to questions about fire safety measures, exposing the significant shortfalls in fire stations, firefighting vehicles, and personnel. Data collected in 2018 by the Director General (Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guards) reveals alarming gaps in fire safety compared to the benchmarks set by the RMSI 2012 report.
Fire safety requires both adequately trained personnel and sophisticated equipment to fight outbreaks effectively. According to global standards, India would need about one firefighter for every 1,000 people to ensure adequate coverage. Given India’s population of 1.4 billion, this translates to approximately 1.8 million firefighters. However, the current number of firefighters in India is only around 3,00,000, meaning we are falling short by about 1.5 million firefighters — a staggering gap. On average, each state is short by 14,382 firefighters, and states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra are facing the worst deficits.
Uttar Pradesh — one of the largest states — is missing a staggering 79,866 firefighters, the highest shortfall in the country. Bihar (44,528 missing firefighters) and Maharashtra (42,838 missing firefighters) are not far behind. On average, each state is short by 14,382 firefighters. This isn’t just a number — it’s lives at risk when help doesn’t arrive in time. While smaller states like Goa and Lakshadweep are faring better, their challenges are less significant due to their smaller size and population.
In addition to firefighters, a set of sophisticated fire-fighting equipment is essential to minimise large-scale loss of life and property. Fire trucks and equipment are the tools firefighters need to do their jobs, but even here, the numbers are shockingly inadequate. Uttar Pradesh needs 4,155 more fire trucks, making it the worst-hit state once again. Bihar (2,775 trucks short) and Maharashtra (2,640 trucks short) also face massive shortages. On average, each state is short by 707 fire trucks, indicating that, even when firefighters are available, they often lack the vehicles and tools needed to respond swiftly.
A fire station is the central hub for firefighters — a trained force is stationed on high alert to respond fast in case a fire breaks out. But India doesn’t have enough of these either. Maharashtra is missing 917 fire stations, the highest in the country, followed by states like Rajasthan (748) and Bihar (543), which also face significant gaps. On average, every state is short by 144 fire stations.
What does this mean for ordinary people? If a fire station is too far away, it takes longer for firefighters to reach the scene of an emergency, reducing the chances of survival. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra — some of the most densely populated states in India — are the worst affected, meaning more people are at risk. On the other hand, smaller states and union territories like Goa, Sikkim, and Lakshadweep are relatively better off, but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely safe.
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When there aren’t enough firefighters, trucks, or fire stations, every second counts. In the case of the Jhansi hospital fire, precious time was lost, likely making the tragedy even worse. Imagine waiting for help during a fire, knowing it might not arrive in time. This is the reality for millions of Indians. Fires in hospitals, schools, or crowded markets can turn deadly very quickly, especially when the system isn’t equipped to respond.
This situation demands urgent attention from the state governments to invest more in fire safety infrastructure, to safeguard the precious lives of citizens.
Ahamed is the National Research Coordinator, Pratichi Institute, and Chakraborty is Research Associate, Sabar Institute
