A tragic fire at an e-rickshaw charging station in Shahdara, East Delhi, has claimed the lives of two teenagers and left four others injured. The incident occurred early Sunday morning, sending shockwaves through the community and raising serious concerns about safety standards at such facilities.
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received an emergency call at approximately 6:40 am, reporting a blaze near Ram Mandir on Moti Ram Road in Shahdara. According to DFS Chief Atul Garg, five fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the location. The fire had engulfed a tin shed structure, spanning roughly 400 square yards, which was being utilized as a charging station for e-rickshaws. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours, bringing it under control by 8:30 am.
During the firefighting operation, the charred bodies of two teenagers were recovered from the debris. The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Brijesh and 18-year-old Maniram, both natives of Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh. Preliminary investigations suggest that the two were asleep when the fire broke out and were unable to escape.
In addition to the fatalities, four other individuals sustained burn injuries and were rushed to the nearby GTB Hospital for treatment. The injured have been identified as Harishankar, 19, Rinku, 18, Mukesh, 22, and Vipin, 19. All six individuals worked selling sugarcane juice on e-rickshaws and resided in the shed. Harishankar sustained 45 per cent burns, Rinku 30 per cent, while Mukesh and Vipin suffered around seven per cent each.
Authorities suspect that the fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit during the charging of the e-rickshaws. The rapid spread of the fire was likely facilitated by the presence of flammable materials in the tin shed structure.
The incident has brought into sharp focus the potential dangers associated with e-rickshaw charging stations, particularly those operating in unregulated or informal settings. Concerns have been raised about inadequate safety measures, including the lack of fire extinguishers, proper ventilation, and adherence to electrical safety standards.
Delhi's power distribution companies (discoms) have long been grappling with the issue of illegal e-rickshaw charging facilities, which not only cause substantial revenue losses but also pose significant safety hazards. It is estimated that over 60% of e-rickshaws are involved in power theft, resulting in an annual loss of approximately Rs 120 crore. Illegal charging often involves direct theft of electricity and the use of substandard batteries, which can lead to sparks, short circuits, and fires.
This recent tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and enforcement to ensure the safety of e-rickshaw charging stations. This includes regular inspections, mandatory fire safety audits, and awareness campaigns to educate e-rickshaw operators and workers about fire prevention measures. Addressing the issue of illegal charging and promoting the use of certified batteries and charging equipment are also crucial steps in mitigating the risk of future incidents. Furthermore, authorities should consider providing designated charging zones with proper infrastructure and safety features to prevent haphazard and unsafe charging practices.
