Delhi Orders Citywide Fire Safety Checks; Government Plans Single-Window Licensing for Hospitality Sector

New Delhi | December 11, 2025 The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) has launched urgent fire safety inspections across the capital, directing its officers to examine restaurants, hotels and clubs without delay. The decision follows the recent fire tragedy in Goa and comes ahead of the Christmas and New Year period, when fire-related incidents typically rise. The move aims to ensure that public gathering spaces remain safe during the busy festive season. The instructions were issued through an official order on Wednesday, where the DFS principal director asked all divisional and assistant divisisional officers to carry out detailed checks at public assembly buildings. Officers have been told to verify whether fire-prevention systems are fully functional and if the establishments are complying with building rules, especially under Rule 33 of the Delhi Fire Service Rules, 2010. The order highlighted the Goa fire case as a reminder of the risks involved when safety systems fail. The directive came shortly after chief minister Rekha Gupta announced new steps to improve safety and ease processes for businesses in the hospitality sector. Speaking at the opening session of ‘Summit 2025 – Viksit Delhi, Viksit Tourism & Hospitality’, she said the government would soon allow third-party fire audits and introduce a single-window licensing system. Gupta explained that the decision resulted from a recent fire review meeting, during which several pending licensing issues—left unresolved by earlier administrations—were identified. Gupta also encouraged hotel and restaurant owners to install mist-fogging systems on rooftops as a way to reduce pollution. She noted that similar systems had already been introduced at some locations in Delhi and would be expanded further in the coming months. Delhi’s home minister Ashish Sood added that to strengthen coordination between departments, directions had been issued to the GST authorities and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to provide the DFS with updated data on bars, hotels, restaurants, temporary venues, pandals and other structures. He said this data-sharing would help officers carry out better risk assessments and plan more focused inspections. Sood stressed that the government would not accept delays or gaps in licensing and monitoring, saying the goal was to tighten oversight while supporting responsible businesses. Industry leaders have welcomed some of the reforms. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, president of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI), said allowing third-party audits would help speed up approval processes. He also mentioned that the association presented a dry-fogging technology at the summit, which uses almost 90% less water compared to traditional anti-smog guns. During the event, discussions also centred on promoting sustainable tourism and creating a stronger identity for Delhi as a global destination. Officials from the MCD, ITPO and several hotel groups spoke about improving sanitation, safety and urban infrastructure. They highlighted how these improvements could help attract large events, conferences and tourists to the capital. Addressing industry representatives, CM Gupta said more reforms were being drafted to support events and hospitality services in Delhi. She said the aim was to create a smoother experience for businesses and present Delhi as a welcoming, modern and safe destination for both domestic and international Delhi Orders Citywide Fire Safety Checks; Government Plans Single-Window Licensing for Hospitality Sector Delhi has begun urgent fire safety inspections across restaurants, hotels and clubs after concerns rose following the recent Goa fire incident. With the festive season approaching, the Delhi Fire Service has asked all its officers to check public gathering spots without delay. Their teams will look at fire-prevention systems, building safety rules and overall preparedness to avoid any major risks during Christmas and New Year, when such incidents usually increase. The decision came soon after chief minister Rekha Gupta announced that the city is preparing to allow third-party fire audits and introduce a single-window licensing system. She said these steps are meant to make operations easier for businesses while improving safety. At a tourism and hospitality summit this week, the CM shared that many licensing issues had been pending for years and needed urgent attention. She also urged restaurant and hotel owners to add mist-fogging systems on rooftops to help reduce pollution, saying that the system is already being used in some parts of the city. Delhi home minister Ashish Sood said that departments like the GST office and Municipal Corporation of Delhi will now share updated data with the fire service. This will help officers understand where the higher risks are and plan inspections more efficiently. He made it clear that the government will not tolerate delays or gaps in licensing or safety checks. The goal is to create a simpler system that still keeps people safe. Industry bodies have responded positively. The FHRAI president said that third-party audits will help reduce approval delays. He also highlighted a dry-fogging technology showcased at the summit, which uses far less water than traditional smog-control systems. The summit also featured wider discussions on improving Delhi’s tourism brand, upgrading infrastructure and making the city more attractive for global events. Officials stressed that cleaner streets, better safety and improved facilities can help Delhi position itself as a major events destination.