In compliance to the Court's order dated
05.02.2026, The Director, Training Operation. Fire and
Emergency Services, Home Guard and State Disaster
Respondent Force (SDRF), has filed his affidavit,
relevant paras of which are reproduced hereinbelow:
"6. It is submitted that, at present the details
of fire station is as under:-
The details of fire stations by way of a
tabular chart are attached herewith as
Document-1.
7. It is submitted that, as far as the steps
undertaken for explanation and
augmentation of fire service in the State of
Chhattisgarh is concerned, it is submitted
that there are at present 147 fire fighting
vehicles available in the State, in the year
2024-25, 20 vehicles were purchased and
in the 2025-26, 07 vehicles were
purchased. There are 09 fully constructed
fire stations, there are 02 fire station which
are under construction and there are 07 fire
stations where the construction is
proposed.
8. It is submitted that, in so far as the
situation where there at present there is no
fire station is concerned, it is submitted that
tendering process is going on for Jashpur,
Mahasamund, Korea, Dantewada, Kanker,
Balodabazar, Dhamtari. However, in some
other places where there is no fire station
that is in Raipur, Manendragarh-
Narayanpur, Gourella-Pendra-Marwahi,
Sukma, Mohla-Maanpur-Ambagarh
Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, Chirmiri-
Bharatpur, Chowki, Sarangarh, Kondagaon,
Balrampur, Balod, Surajpur, Gariyaband,
Bijapur, Sakti, Mungeli and Bemetara. The
fire station is being operated under Home
Guard premises.
09.It is submitted that, the Department of
Fire and Emergency Service is facing
issues pertaining to availability of land for
construction of fire stations in various
districts and to this effect the Department of
Home of which the Fire and Emergency
Service happens to be a part has written a
letter dated 10.09.2025 to all the District
Magistrates of Chhattisgarh to make
available land for construction of fire
stations, the letter dated 10.09.2025
records that although adequate fund is
provided, the site made available for
construction of fire stations is far away from
the city due to which the response time of
fire service in times of emergency gets
prolonged. The letter dated 10.09.2025
urges the District Magistrates to provide for
a land which is not excessively far away
from the city so that movement can be
made without much delay in times of
emergency. Copy of letter dated 10.09.2025
is attached herewith as Document-2.
10. It is submitted that, the Department of
Revenue and Disaster Management has
also communicated to District Collectors of
Balod, Balodabazar, Gariyaband,
Dantewada, Kanker, Sukma, Mungeli,
Surajpur, Jashpur, Koriya, Sakti and
Narayanpur regarding the letter of Home
District dated 10.09.2025, by way of its
letter dated 02-02-2026 and has asked the
concerned authority to provide for minimum
2 acres of land at suitable locations for
construction of fire stations. Copy of letter
dated 02.02.2026 is attached herewith as
Document-3.
11. It is submitted that, in so far as the
interplay between the three legislations
under which Fire and Emergency Services
are dealt with i.e., the Chhattisgarh
Municipal Corporation Act 1956,
Chhattisgarh Municipalities Act 1961 and
Chhattisgarh Fire and Emergency Services
Act 2018 is concerned, it is submitted that
prior to the enactment of the Fire and
Emergency Services Act 2018, the fire
services were managed by respective
Municipal Corporation or Municipalities.
After the creation of Chhattisgarh State Fire
and Emergency Services Act 2018 of the
fire extinguishing appliances and
equipments which were under the control of
Municipal Corporation and Municipalities
has been handed over to the Department of
Fire and Emergency Services. However, at
the Nagar Palika Parishad and Nagar
Panchayat level the fire services are still
operating under the administrative control
of their Chief Municipal Officer(s) and are
not under administrative control of State
Fire Services."
Upon perusal of the affidavit and the documents
annexed therewith, it transpires that at present 09 fully
constructed fire stations are functional in the districts of
Durg, Nava Raipur, Ambikapur, Jagdalpur, Janjgir-
Champa, Korba, Raigarh, Rajnandgaon and
Kabirdham, while construction is underway at Urla-
Siltara and Bilaspur, and tendering process is in
progress at Jashpur, Mahasamund, Korea, Dantewada,
Kanker, Balodabazar and Dhamtari. In several other
districts where fire stations are yet to be established,
fire services are being temporarily operated from Home
Guard premises. The affidavit further discloses that the
State presently has 147 fire-fighting vehicles, with
additional procurement of 20 vehicles in the financial
year 2024-25 and 07 vehicles in 2025-26. It is also
evident that the Department of Home has addressed
communications dated 10.09.2025 to the District
Collectors seeking availability of suitably located land
for construction of fire stations, highlighting that sites
offered at distant locations adversely affect emergency
response time, and the Department of Revenue and
Disaster Management has reiterated the said
requirement by its subsequent communication dated
02.02.2026 directing allotment of a minimum of two
acres of land at appropriate locations. The affidavit
additionally clarifies that though, after enactment of the
Chhattisgarh Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2018,
control over fire-fighting infrastructure has largely been
vested in the State Fire and Emergency Services
Department, fire services at the level of Nagar Palika
Parishads and Nagar Panchayats continue to function
under the administrative supervision of the respective
Chief Municipal Officers.
Mr. Anadi Sharma, learned counsel for
respondent No.5 submits that in compliance to the
Court's order dated 05.02.2026, Commissioner,
Municipal Corporation Bilaspur has filed its personal
affidavit, relevant paras of which are reproduced
hereinbelow:
"2. It is submitted that, in compliance with
the aforesaid direction, the deponent has
caused the Chhattisgarh Fire and
Emergency Service Act, 2018 (No. 19 of
2018) and the rules/notifications issued
thereunder, as are presently available, to
be duly examined at the level of Municipal
Corporation Bilaspur. It is respectfully
submitted that, after the coming into force
of the said Act and the institutional
restructuring carried out thereunder, the
functions relating to fire prevention, fire-
fighting, fire and emergency response, and
allied statutory responsibilities, which were
earlier being discharged by the Municipal
Corporation Bilaspur, now stand vested in
and are being discharged by the State Fire
and Emergency Services Department and
the designated authorities/officers under
the said Act.
3. Without in any manner seeking to dilute
the concern of this Hon'ble Court regarding
fire safety within the limits of Municipal
Corporation Bilaspur, it is respectfully
submitted that, pursuant to the
implementation of the Chhattisgarh Fire
and Emergency Service Act, 2018 and
order 22.04.2017, issued by the Under
Secretary, Urban Administration and
Development Department, Naya Raipur,
District Raipur, C.G., the entire fire
extinguishing system including, but not
limited to, infrastructure, equipment,
appliances, vehicles, manpower and
operational control, which were earlier
under the administrative and functional
control of Municipal Corporation Bilaspur,
have been formally handed over to and are
presently under the control, management
and supervision of the Department of Fire
and Emergency Services of the State
Government and such other authorities as
notified under the Act. Copy of the order
Dated 22.04.2017 issued by the Under
Secretary, Urban Administration and
Development Department, Naya Raipur,
District Raipur, C.G., is hereby annexed as
ANNEXURE R/1.
4. The Municipal Corporation Bilaspur,
however, continues to extend full
cooperation and coordination to the said
Department and the State authorities for
augmentation, maintenance and effective
functioning of fire and emergency services
within its jurisdiction, including but not
limited to facilitating land allotment,
municipal clearances, provision of basic
civic infrastructure and other logistic
support as may be required under the said
act, from time to time.
5. That the deponent respectfully submits
that he has the highest regard and utmost
respect for the lawful authority of this
Hon'ble Court as well as the orders and
directions issued from time to time, and that
the Municipal Corporation Bilaspur, remains
fully committed to abide by, cooperate in,
and facilitate due compliance of all orders
and directions passed by this Hon'ble Court
in the present proceedings, within the
scope of its statutory powers and functions
under the applicable law."
On perusal of the affidavit and the documents on
record, it appears that after enforcement of the
Chhattisgarh Fire and Emergency Service Act, 2018
and the Government order dated 22.04.2017, the
functions relating to fire prevention, fire-fighting and
emergency response have been transferred from the
Municipal Corporation Bilaspur to the State Fire and
Emergency Services Department, which is now
exercising administrative and operational control over
the fire-fighting infrastructure, equipment, vehicles and
manpower. The Municipal Corporation is, however,
continuing to extend necessary coordination and
logistical support, including facilitation of land allotment,
municipal permissions and civic infrastructure, and has
expressed its willingness to comply with the directions
of this Court within the scope of its statutory powers.
Learned Amicus Curiae also submits that he has
also filed an affidavit, relevant paras of which are
reproduced hereinbelow:
"3. That the State of Chhattisgarh has
enacted The Chhattisgarh Fire and
Emergency Services Act 2016 to run and
regulate the Fire Protection Services and
the allied matters. A true copy of The
Chhattisgarh Fire and Emergency Services
Act 2016 is being marked and filed herewith
as Annexure A-2.
4. That a bare perusal of the said Act
specifically Section 3 mandates that there
shall be one Fire and Emergency Service
would work for the whole of the State.
However, on the ground the situation is
entirely different. The Fire Security Services
are being operated by different command
centers, often leading to delayed co-
ordination amongst them resulting in losing
very crucial time which could have been
utilized for minimizing the Damage caused
by the said Fire Incident both in terms of the
Lives and Property.
5. That at present State of Chhattisgarh has
Four different categories of the Fires
Security Services working in the State which
are namely;
A. Fire Security Services under the
Control of the Urban Local Bodies
(As provided in the legal regime prior
to 2016 in which Municipality Act
governs the same)
B. Fire Security Services under the
Control of the Collectors of Certain
Districts (Where big Urban Local
Bodies does not exist prior to 2016)
C. Fire Security Services under the
Control of the Central Govt
Department s Like Railways and
Under the control of the Central
PSUs like NTPC and SECL.
D. Fire Security Services under the
Control of the Large Private
Industrial Houses like BALCO, Jindal
etc. However the said Fire tenders
and Staff is seldomly being used for
Public Purpose as the Chhattisgarh
Act exempts the same by 2nd
Proviso of the Section 3 (1).
6. That Section 3(2) of the Chhattisgarh Act
confers the power to the State Govt to make
the all the Fire Security Services Man Power
and Infra Structure available in the State
subject to the Proviso as aforesaid under
one Unified Command for better co-
ordination and services. However almost 10
years have been passed and yet the
Condition of the Fire Services in the State
remains un-organized and less effective.
Despite best effort, any Notification issued
under Section 3(2) of the Chhattisgarh Act
could not have been located on the
Websites of the State Govt.
7. That Section 5 mandates the creation of
the Fire Division, Fire Districts. Fire Sub-
Division and Fire Stations in whole of the
State for effective reach of the Fire and
Emergency Services reach upto rural areas
of the State.
8. That Section 9(4) further provides for
appointment of Divisional, District and
Station Fire Officer in the Fire Divisions,
Districts and Stations established by the
State under that Section 9(1). It is
noteworthy that the boundaries of the
Divisions and Districts would not be
necessarily kept as per Revenue Divisions
and District so as to enable effective reach
of the Fire and Emergency Services to the
last mile.
9. That despite the aforesaid legal regime in
existence since last 10 years, the
implementation on ground is very poor.
10. That as per the affidavit dated
05.02.2026 filed by the State Govt the total
number of Fire Brigade Vehicles operating in
the State are 145 whereas the number of
Fire Tenders available at the Block Level is
only 55 making this figure to 200.
Howeverthe capacity of each fire tender in
terms of holding Water is different and
ranges from Just 60 Liter to, 350 Liter to
3000 Liter to 6000 Liter. Obviously the other
staff on the fire tender also varies.
12. That the Fire Fighting infrastructure is
lacking inhuge numbers as the entire Bastar
Division which is larger than the State of
Kerala in terms of Area, is having just 25
Fire Tenders at District HQ and just 4 at
Block Level.
13. That the State of Chhattisgarh has not
taken effective steps post enactment of The
Chhattisgarh Act and not created the
Command Structure as mandated by the
said Act. Rather the State Govt is more keen
to implement later part of the Act which
mandates Fire NOC or Clealrance for the
New Buildings, Complexes etc. Two
notification Dated 29.11.2022 has been
issued in this regard by the State of
Chhattisgarh. A true copy of the Notifications
issued on 29.11.2022 is being marked and
filed herewith as Annexure A-3.
14. That the Amicus Curiae has interacted
with some of the concern persons working
on ground and the outcome of the said
interaction would suggest that earlier when
entire Fire Services were under the
Municipal Corporations under the
Municipality Act, there was better co-
ordination as one single department was
handling the affairs of the services. Post
enactment of the Chhattisgarh Act, now the
decision making power is with District Home
Guard Officer who is designated as Fire
officer whereas the entire infrastructure and
junior staff is still with Municipal
Corporation."
Perusal of the affidavit goes to show that although
the State of Chhattisgarh has enacted the Chhattisgarh
Fire and Emergency Services Act with the object of
establishing a unified and effective fire protection
mechanism across the State, the implementation of the
statutory scheme on the ground is alleged to be
inadequate. It is averred that despite the mandate
under Section 3 for a single State Fire and Emergency
Service and the enabling provision under Section 3(2)
for bringing manpower and infrastructure under a
unified command structure, fire services continue to
function under multiple administrative controls,
including Urban Local Bodies, District Administration,
Central Government undertakings and large private
industrial establishments, leading to lack of
coordination and delay in emergency response. The
affidavit further indicate that the statutory framework
envisaging creation of Fire Divisions, Districts, Sub-
Divisions and Stations, along with appointment of
designated fire officers, has not been fully
operationalised even after considerable lapse of time. It
is also asserted that the existing fire-fighting
infrastructure and availability of fire tenders are
insufficient in several regions, particularly in
geographically large areas such as Bastar Division,
thereby affecting the effectiveness of emergency
response. The affidavit additionally alleges that while
the State has taken steps to enforce regulatory
provisions such as requirement of fire safety clearances
for buildings, adequate progress has not been made
towards establishing the institutional command
structure contemplated under the Act, resulting in
fragmented functioning and reduced operational
efficiency of fire and emergency services.
It is observed that several places in the State are
still without functional fire stations. This Court hopes
and trusts that the concerned authorities shall take
immediate and effective steps for establishment and
operationalisation of fire stations at such locations so
as to ensure timely fire and emergency response
services.
List the matter again on 04.05.2026.
Fresh affidavits shall be filed by The Director,
Training Operation, Fire and Emergency Services,
Home Guard and State Disaster Respondent Force
(SDRF) before the next date of hearing, indicating the
steps taken, progress made and the proposed timeline
for setting up fire stations at the places where the same
are presently not available.
Sd/- Sd/-
(Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha)
Judge Chief Justice
Manpreet
