Violation of Fire act in market areas of city!!!

It should take just three minutes for people to escape when a fire breaks out in any high-rise building, say the safety rules. But how many high-rise structures in city facilitate quick evacuation in case of an emergency? The tall structures which have mushroomed in the cities up market areas in the last decades have thrown all fire safety norms to the winds.
For instance the major market areas in like Sultan Bazaar, Badi Chowdi, Mozamjahi market, Begum Bazaar and Gujrati Gali are may be city’s pride and shopalcholic’s favourite haunt. For all its posh trappings, however, the numerous shopping complexes there hardly have any fire-safety equipment or follow the fire safety norms.

Next time there is fire accidents in Koti or Abids area don’t expect a fire tender to reach in time and start the rescue programme. An official from fire department says it’s impossible to take up a rescue programme in time in case of any fire mishap in these areas because of the narrow space and congested area due to numerous shops located in unplanned manner.

This was proven in Sunday’s fire accident in Gujrati Gali when fire-fighters were not even able to standby one fire vehicle to start the rescue programme. "Every time there is fire accident in these areas we have hard time as unplanned growth and development of this old market and huge complexes has left little space to fight fire in case of an accident keeping thousands of life in risk. Added to it most establishments in this complex did not have proper fire safety equipment", said P. Deen Dayal, District Fire Officer.

Every inch of available land required to be maintained as open space is claimed by developers. "So, despite possessing hazmat vehicles and hydraulic snorkels and other high-tech equipment, their usability is difficult in these areas. Where is the place to move fire engines?" adds, Deen Dayal.

As per National Building Code (NBC) rule, the property owner should approach the department to certify the building. If all specifications are followed, the department will give the NOC and in case of building below15-meters in height will be instructed to equip fire safety measures. Majority of buildings have not complied with the rules and lacks the clearance. But they continue to be occupied,'' he adds.

Surprisingly more than 100 high-rise structures owned by private builders are thriving in these areas, though they don't have a no-objection certificate (noc) from fire department.
"Over the past few years, several major showrooms and crores of rupees have been gutted in these round-the-clock busy areas. But well over half the buildings do not have all these arrangements In fact, most structures do not even have proper set back, evacuation and rescue facilities, he lamented.

Yet, when a major fire broke out in the electronic showroom in Gujrati Gali on Sunday evening, fire-fighters had a tough time rushing six fire engines through the narrow lanes dotted by illegal constructions and illegally parked vehicles.

Another major problem for firemen is that of traffic in these areas. Civic officials admit that response time has gone from three minutes in the 1990s to 10 minutes now. The road from Andhra Bank to Koti bus stop is encroached by vendors causing traffic snarls 24 hours. There are many such routes and market points in these areas but unfortunately the civic body as well as police turns a blind eye to this menace.