Delhi govt approves amendments in building by-laws for improved fire safety

New Delhi: The Delhi government has approved amendments to its building bylaws banning rooftop as well as basement kitchens and stopping issuance of fire safety certificates to guest houses having more than four floors, days after a massive blaze at a hotel in Karol Bagh killed 17 people.

According to the amendments, the owners of

guest houses will have to submit floor plans indicating the use of each floor to the

Delhi Fire Services, while applying for no objection certificate.

An inter-departmental meeting chaired by the Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain, has approved the amendments in the Delhi Building Bye Laws 2016 with an aim to put in place better fire safety measures in the national capital.

Special directives have been given regarding the use of rooftops, basements, passages and exit routes for curtailing the spread of fire in public buildings through the amendments.