Ludhiana Hosts First Fire & Safety Expo: Cicu Leads Charge For Industrial Safety Revolution

May17,2025 | Gautam Jalandhari | Ludhiana

Marking a decisive step toward building safer industrial ecosystems, Ludhiana witnessed it’s first-ever Fire & Safety Conference & Expo on Friday, hosted by the Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) at the CICU Complex. With over 250 industrial leaders, safety experts, and emergency professionals in attendance, the event emerged as a landmark initiative in promoting fire safety awareness and preparedness.

The full-day conference and expo were focused on raising awareness of fire prevention, emergency response protocols, and new-age technologies aimed at reducing risks in today’s complex industrial environments.

Safety Must Be Culture, Not Compliance: Col. Nirwan

The event was inaugurated by Col. Bhawani Singh Nirwan, Head – Administration, Tata Steel Ltd, who served as Chief Guest. In his keynote address, Col. Nirwan emphasized the urgent need to integrate safety into the daily operations of industries:

“We must evolve beyond compliance. Safety should be part of an industry’s core culture—deeply embedded into planning, training, and decision-making.”

Power-Packed Panel Shares Practical Insights

The event's centrepiece was a panel discussion led by moderator Mr. S. B. Singh, featuring notable figures in fire safety, education, and emergency response:

Col. Bhawani Singh Nirwan, Tata Steel Ltd
Mr. Amit Kumar Sharma, FSAI, Chandigarh Chapter
Mr. Sanjeev Bhardwaj, Chitkara University
Dy Commandant Binu Samuel, NDRF
Mr. Maninder Singh, ADFO
Mr. Abhilash Sharma, Punjab Institute of Fire & Safety Management

Experts explored the importance of routine audits, safety drills, and advanced fire fighting systems while stressing the critical role of education and simulation-based training.

CICU Issues Strong Safety Mandate

In a compelling statement, CICU President Mr. Upkar Singh Ahuja urged industries to take ownership of safety as a fundamental responsibility:

“We can no longer treat safety as an optional line item. CICU is spearheading a safety-first revolution by bringing real tools, real training, and real awareness to the industries that form the backbone of our economy. Lives and livelihoods depend on it.”

CICU’s leadership team—General Secretary Mr. Honey Sethi, Organizing Secretary Mr. J.S. Bhogal, and Finance Secretary Mr. Ajay Bharti—joined in stressing that Ludhiana’s rapid industrial growth must be matched with a proportionate commitment to disaster resilience and emergency readiness.

Expo Delivers Real-Time Demos & Simulations

The accompanying expo brought safety practices to life with highly interactive exhibits and demonstrations:

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) showcased its advanced rescue equipment and provided walkthroughs of emergency response strategies.
The Punjab Institute of Fire & Safety Management performed live fire mock drills, allowing participants to witness effective suppression and evacuation techniques.
Rebable Consultancy introduced immersive Virtual Reality (VR) safety modules, simulating industrial emergencies to train workers in real-time decision-making without real-world risks.

Participants across sectors praised the practical relevance of the sessions, noting that the combination of expert dialogue and experiential learning made the conference “eye-opening and actionable.”

A New Era for Industrial Safety in Punjab

With resounding applause and a renewed commitment to proactive safety measures, the conference concluded on a unifying note:

“Safety is not just a requirement – it is a responsibility.”

The success of this first edition has set a powerful precedent. CICU officials confirmed plans to make the Fire & Safety Conference & Expo an annual event, envisioning Ludhiana as a regional leader in industrial safety innovation.

Ludhiana-Hosts-First-Fire-Safety-Expo-Cicu-Leads-Charge-For-Industrial-Safety-Revolution