What caused the smoke scare near Parliament? Dark plumes spotted behind North Block
Thick smoke rising behind one of New Delhi’s most prominent government buildings on Monday triggered alarm in the high-security Central Vista zone, prompting fire services to rush emergency vehicles to the area near Parliament.
The smoke was spotted behind North Block, the historic Secretariat building long associated with some of the Union government’s most powerful ministries.
The cause of the smoke, its precise point of origin and the extent of any damage were not immediately known.
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora also noticed the dark plumes while travelling towards Parliament. Drawing attention to the incident on social media, Deora expressed concern and hoped emergency teams would respond swiftly.
Following the alerts, the Department of Fire Services deployed fire tenders to the location.
Authorities continued their response and inspections as details about the incident remained limited. No immediate reports of injuries or casualties emerged.
What is North Block, and why is it significant?
Located in the heart of the national capital, close to Parliament House, North Block is part of the historic Secretariat complex that has served as a key centre of the Union government’s administrative machinery.
The building traditionally housed the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, including the Department of Economic Affairs and the Department of Revenue.
Its location and association with these crucial ministries have made it one of the most recognisable government landmarks in Delhi.
However, the building’s administrative role has been undergoing a transition. After government offices moved to newer complexes, including Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhawan, in early 2026, the historic structure is being emptied for a new purpose.
The plan is to repurpose the building as the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum, marking a shift from its long-standing role as a centre of government administration to a cultural institution.
Despite the location's significance, the circumstances surrounding Monday’s smoke incident remained unclear at the time of reporting.
Authorities had not yet established what caused the smoke or whether the incident caused any damage.