Bengaluru: The Millennium Tower in Brookefield, Kundalahalli, is a prominent landmark in Mahadevapura. A software firm and a private company occupy the building, which houses hundreds of employees. The building stands tall and impressive but has no fire safety precautions. Obviously the building poses a big risk to all its occupants.
Though an inspection by the Chief Fire Officer reports that the building lacks a No Objection Certificate (NOC), nor does it have a clearance certificate for occupation, the building is still functioning without facing any music from officials. There are thousands of such buildings in the city which are running without proper fire safety measures. The Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services (KSFES) seems to be taking little action against violators.
Three years ago, the state government had issued an order to the Fire and Emergency Services department to inspect all the high-rise buildings in the state.
In a notification (dated 7-7-2011) under Section 13 of the Karnataka Fire Force Act, 1964, the government made the inspection of all the high-rise buildings in the city mandatory. The government directed the KSFES department to carry out an inspection once in two years and re-inspect the buildings which have been given NOC and clearance certificates.
Eight months after the order has been issued, the Fire and Emergency Services department has managed to book cases against only 24 buildings.
The irregularities in declaration of building plans have affected the inspection, says Om Prakash, Director General of Fire and Emergency Services.
“Many builders take permission for low rise buildings (less than 14 meters height) but construct at least two or more floors extra by the time construction is completed. Such irregularities can’t be monitored closely. So the department does not have a list of high rise buildings in the city,” he said.
According to the government order, the KSFES has to give three months time for a violator to rectify the problem. If violations persist, the KSFES will send another reminder. If nothing is done even then, the Fire department recommends other government agencies like BESCOM and BBMP for withdrawal of services.
Another official from KSFES expresses displeasure over the fact that though notices have been issued against 24 buildings and the department has recommended withdrawal of services, other agencies have failed to do their bit.
“There has to be a collective effort from all the agencies to make an impact. We have done our bit but there has been no response from other agencies,” the official said.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140713/nation-crime/article/lurking-danger-high-rises-violate-fire-safety-norms
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140713/nation-crime/article/lurking-danger-high-rises-violate-fire-safety-norms
