New Delhi, May 11 -- Rampant encroachments, illegally parked vehicles and narrow lanes are hampering fire responses across Delhi, leaving several areas inaccessible during emergencies. A ground assessment by HT across eight localities found that although roads were originally 4-10 metres wide, only 1.5-3.5 metres remained usable in many stretches, far below firefighting requirements. Fire department officials said a standard fire tender is about 2.5m wide and 7-9m long. It also requires a turning radius and manoeuvring space of 4-5m. Additionally, hydraulic aerial platforms, used for high-rise firefighting, need even more room, in addition to a vertical clearance of 4-4.5m. While Delhi's 2019 parking policy mandates that a free lane be left...