Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Fire panel yet to meet

-File photo

Inferno: Fire at Lal Bunglow .

HYDERABAD: Eleven months after its constitution to review fire safety systems in cinema theatres, hotels and malls, a high-powered multi-disciplinary committee appears to have little concern for public safety. Till now, ever since its inception, the committee has not met even once to review the fire safety systems at above said places.

The State government had issued G.O 1477 in December 2007 stating that if any public place is found violating safety norms, then the committee headed by Principal Secretary Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) can recommend blacklisting of builders, architects, structural engineers and other technical personnel associated with the construction of the building.

Even as a series of fire continued to keep the general public on the edge, the committee members have not met even once. A meeting was planned to be held a few months ago, but it was postponed due to unspecified reasons.

Officials pointed out that most malls in city are literal firetraps because they have restaurants and pubs with kitchens on the same premises.

Major fire that occurred at Pushpanjali commercial complex in Koti, Moghal Court complex in Basheerbagh, Meena Jewellers in Somajiguda, a garments showroom in Abids a couple of years ago and the recent inferno at Lal Bungalow are classic examples of how shopping complexes have become firetraps.

Theatres continue to pose a threat to viewers even as the Fire Department has already declared that scores of cinema halls in city are ‘unsafe’.

Even managements of some hotels have ignored safety measures.

Same is the case with eateries.

About 430 restaurants, including some with bars attached, are highly prone to fire accidents, officials explained.

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