National News
Mumbai: Bhiwandi’s Fire Safety On The Brink As BNCMC Battles Severe Manpower Shortage
Bhiwandi: Despite a surge in warehouse fires and industrial accidents across Bhiwandi, the BNCMC Fire Department is functioning with barely one-third of its sanctioned manpower. Modern engines, rescue vans and upgraded gear lie idle not due to lack of resources, but because there are simply not enough trained firefighters to operate them. The lives of lakhs of residents and the safety of more than 50,000 warehouses now hang in the balance.
The Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) Fire Department the city’s primary emergency response unit is under severe strain due to an alarming shortage of staff. The department has received new fire engines, rescue vehicles and modern equipment over the past few years, but its firefighting capacity has been badly compromised as critical posts remain vacant and recruitment has stalled for nearly a decade.
Bhiwandi city houses more than 12 lakh residents, with another 4 lakh living in surrounding rural pockets. Despite this massive population and a sprawling high-risk warehouse belt, the responsibility of handling fires and industrial accidents falls solely on the BNCMC fire brigade.
Years of halted recruitment have pushed the force to operate at a fraction of the required strength.
Official data shows that out of 160 sanctioned posts, only 49 are currently filled. Key leadership positions including Chief Fire Officer and Deputy Chief Fire Officer remain vacant, placing extraordinary pressure on in-charge officers.
To fill immediate gaps, BNCMC is even forced to use drivers from the vehicle department to operate fire tenders a practice firefighters say is unsafe and unsustainable.
The BNCMC Fire Department maintains a substantial fleet of 32 emergency vehicles, including fire engines, multipurpose engines, water browsers, mini-tenders, rescue vans and fire bikes.
However, several of these vehicles remain idle due to a shortage of trained operators. Fire bikes procured specifically to navigate narrow, congested lanes have not been deployed for more than a year.
Data from 2021 to 2024 highlights rising pressure on the already depleted force:
• 546 fire incidents in the city
• 479 fire incidents in rural areas
• 510 rescue operations in the city
• 201 rescue operations in rural areas
The rural warehouse belt poses the biggest challenge, with narrow lanes, broken roads, water scarcity and chronic congestion. Many godowns store flammable chemicals, causing fires to burn for up to two days and requiring assistance from Thane, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar brigades.
Bhiwandi’s rural region hosts more than 50,000 warehouses belonging to major national and international companies. Lakhs of workers travel daily to this logistics hub.
Since 2009, this entire belt has been under MMRDA jurisdiction, which collects crores in development charges annually. Yet, not a single fire station exists in the area.
Despite MMRDA stating in 2021 that an independent fire station had been approved, no progress has been visible in four years.
Rajesh Pawar, in-charge of the BNCMC Fire Department, said,“We have repeatedly requested the government to approve recruitment for the vacant posts. Without adequate manpower, operations become extremely difficult.”
With fire incidents rising, warehouse zones expanding and leadership posts lying vacant, Bhiwandi’s fire brigade is facing one of the gravest crises in its history. Equipment and vehicles are available but the severe shortage of trained staff has become the biggest threat to lives, property and one of Maharashtra’s largest logistics hubs.
Crime
Delhi Police bust illegal gambling den in Vikaspuri; four held, Rs 74,000 recovered

New Delhi, July 9: Delhi Police busted an illegal gambling den operating from a two-storeyed jhuggi in Vikaspuri on Thursday, apprehending four alleged gamblers. The Police team also recovered Rs 74,070 in suspected stake money along with gambling-related material during the raid.
According to the police, the operation was carried out on July 7 after the Special Staff received specific and credible information about an illegal gambling racket being run from Indra Camp No. 4 in Vikaspuri.
Based on the tip-off, a raiding team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Rajesh Maurya and the ACP (Operations), under the overall supervision of senior officers.
The team immediately reached the identified location and conducted a raid. During the operation, four persons were allegedly found actively engaged in gambling, while 16 other individuals were also present at the premises.
Police recovered Rs 74,070, suspected to be gambling stake money, along with satta parchis, a chakri and number charts allegedly used for conducting illegal gambling activities.
During the investigation, police identified Shahid as the alleged kingpin behind the gambling racket. According to officials, Shahid has previously been involved in five gambling-related cases. His associate, Akram, was allegedly responsible for collecting the stake money from gamblers.
Both Shahid and Akram were absent during the raid. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the duo and ascertain their complete role in the illegal gambling operation.
The four apprehended accused have been identified as Shekhar (24), a resident of Vikaspuri, who is allegedly involved in three previous criminal cases; Sachin (22), a resident of JJ Colony, who has two previous criminal cases against him; Md. Nadeem (31), a resident of Shiv Vihar, who is allegedly involved in one previous criminal case; and Sahil (19), a resident of Uttam Nagar, who also has one previous criminal case.
Police said the recovered items, including the cash, satta parchis, chakri and number charts, have been seized as evidence.
Further investigation is underway to identify other persons associated with the racket and to establish the full extent of the illegal gambling network operating in the area.
Crime
Delhi Police solve cab carjacking case within 24 hours, three arrested

New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi Police’s South District has solved a cab carjacking and robbery case within 24 hours of the incident, arresting three accused and recovering the robbed taxi, valuablesm and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.
According to police, the breakthrough was achieved by the staff of Police Station Fatehpur Beri after an intensive technical and field investigation launched on the complaint of a cab driver.
The operation was carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Nasib Singh, Vikas Yadav, and Ravi Raghav, Head Constables Chandram, Mukesh Kumar, and Pradeep Kumar under the leadership of SHO Inspector Rajesh Sharma and the overall supervision of the ACP, Mehrauli.
Police registered FIR No. 287/2026 under Sections 309(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the case was registered, investigators analysed CCTV footage, ride-booking details and other technical inputs while simultaneously conducting multiple raids at different locations.
During the investigation, sustained technical surveillance led to the identification of one of the accused, following which continuous field operations resulted in the arrest of all three accused within 24 hours. The police also recovered the robbed taxi, the complainant’s mobile phone, wallet, identity documents and the knife allegedly used during the offence.
According to the investigation, the accused targeted cab drivers during late-night hours by booking rides through a mobile application. After reaching an isolated location, they allegedly threatened the driver at knifepoint, assaulted him, and robbed the vehicle along with his valuables before fleeing from the spot.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd. Kaif, 25, a resident of Ghitorni village in Delhi and originally from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Junaid Ali, 22, also a resident of Ghitorni village and originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, and Mohd Kaif, 20, a resident of Islam Colony, Mehrauli, originally from Bihar’s Begusarai. Police said none of the three accused has any previous criminal involvement.
The recovered items include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi, a knife, the complainant’s Vivo mobile phone, another mobile phone allegedly used to book the ride, a wallet containing cash, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, registration certificate, ATM cards and other important documents.
Crime
Kolkata man arrested for allegedly raping daughter’s friend in Tiljala

Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.
The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.
According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.
She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.
Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.
Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.
The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.
Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.
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