14 more hotels in Karol Bagh to shut over fire safety violations

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has cancelled fire safety certificates of 14 more hotels in Karol Bagh area, taking the total number of such establishments to 71. Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said, "A total of 71 NoCs have been suspended so far. We will not compromise with fire safety. Human lives are precious and their safety has to be given top priority."

The AAP government has in the past few days cancelled fire safety certificates of business establishments for various violations in Karol Bagh, where a massive fire at a hotel recently killed 17 people, and ordered their closure. The Delhi government had issued instructions to municipal corporations and police asking them to seal these establishments in the wake of violations of fire safety norms.

The department started inspecting the guest houses in the area after the fire broke out on Tuesday. The minister said that in its report the fire department said that hotel management used carpets and covered walls with wooden material, which fuelled the flames. The minister added that a magisterial inquiry is underway in the matter. Jain said that the drive will continue against errant hotels violating fire safety norms.

On Wednesday, the fire department inspected 23 hotels and found 13 violating fire safety norms. On Thursday, of the 22 hotels inspected, 17 were found to be violating rules. On Friday, 35 hotels were inspected by the fire department and 28 were found violating fire safety norms.

On Saturday, inspections were carried out again by the team and a total eighteen guests were inspected , found out of eighteen guest houses inspected, the fire safety Certificate to issued to fourteen guest houses have been suspended with immediate effect.

"The Licensing Department, the Delhi Police, the Health Department and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation have been informed to stop the running of these guest houses forthwith," GC Mishra, Director, Delhi Fire Services, informed Jain in the Action Taken Report. Six teams have been formed to inspect the guest houses in Karol Bagh area, he said. The inspection shall continue, he added.