Rampant encroachments and unregulated parking are increasingly obstructing fire response efforts across Delhi, India. A ground assessment by Hindustan Times revealed that in many localities, usable road widths are significantly below the 6-7 meters required for fire tenders to operate effectively. The study, conducted using a laser measurement device across eight locations, found that original carriageway widths of 4 to 10 meters are often reduced to just 1.5 to 3.5 meters due to parked vehicles and encroachments. This situation was tragically highlighted during a fire on March 18 in Palam Colony, where nine family members lost their lives due to delayed access for fire services. Fire department officials noted that standard fire tenders, which are about 2.5 meters wide, require adequate turning space and vertical clearance to operate effectively. Despite a 2019 parking policy mandating clear lanes for emergency vehicles, enforcement remains weak, exacerbating the challenges faced by firefighters. Former Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg emphasized that the first few minutes are critical in fire incidents, and the current state of Delhi's roads significantly hampers timely responses.