Out of 10K high rises in Gurugram, only 1,270 have fire safety clearances

Gurugram: There are 10,000 highrises in Gurugram but only 1,270 highrises have fire safety clearance. This has prompted the officials to issue notices to various structures including 12 schools.

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) will be issuing notices to the owners and association heads of four properties in the city, including Qutub Plaza in DLF Phase-1, Scottish Mall on Sohna Road, and Vyapar Kendra in Sushant Lok-1, asking them to upgrade their fire safety norms, failing which their properties will be sealed, stated a press release by the civic body on late Monday night.

The release further stated that the MCG was given approval by the Urban Local Bodies on Monday under the Haryana Fire Service Act, 2009 to take requisite measures for sealing these properties.

Apart from the above three, the MCG has also been given the approval to seal Ultra Home Construction Private Limited in IMT Manesar and issue notices to 12 private and public schools, asking them to comply with fire safety norms.

High rises in the city have been categorised as buildings that are over 15 metres in height. Over the years, a large number of commercial structures and residential societies that houses lakhs of residents have come up in the city.

Taking into cognisance of ignoring the safety of the citizens, the fire department officials have even warned the builders of action if the builders are going to ignore the safety norms.

Most of the builders have to renew the fire safety license after every one year. The fire department officials mention that most of them have not renewed their license for more than two years.

"As per law, major establishments in the city have to renew their licences after every year. However, many establishments in the city do not renew their licences and continue to play with the lives of the people in the city. While the fire department is expected to take action, even the residents must put pressure on these establishments," said a senior official from the fire department.

Experts cite that dry summers often result in a spurt in fire incidents.

The major reasons for the increase in fire incidents are due to incidents of short circuit caused due to overloaded electrical components, old electric wires an overheated electric devices.