Patiala buildings flout fire safety norms, civic body lax

Showing scant regard for fire safety, a majority of buildings in the city, many of them tuition centres and cafes, are without any approved emergency exit plan. The fire wing of the local Municipal Corporation is yet to take stringent action against them or issue notices to the owners of commercial buildings sans safety equipment.

A majority of commercial buildings in the city have failed to get the necessary installations for fire safety.

“Private coaching centres in Chhoti Baradari, Bhupindra Road, 21 Number to 22 Number Crossing Railway Road and behind Manipal Hospital do not have any fire exit plan, putting the lives of hundreds of students, who visit these centres throughout the day, at risk,” said Amanpreet Singh Bhatia, a lawyer.

Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that a majority of the clubs and bars functional in the city on upper floors have no emergency exit plan and are prone to a stampede-like situation in case of a major fire incident or an earthquake.

“People will have no option but to jump off the building to save themselves in case of a fire incident,” said former Mayor Amarinder Singh Bazaz. “There are fire norms in place, but MC officials have not implemented the same in letter and spirit, which could lead to a tragedy in case children are caught in fire inside coaching institutes. A majority of these institutes are running from first and second floors sans fire department nod,” he added.

A couple of years ago, the MC had swung into action following a fire incident in the city. A drive was conducted to check requisite certifications and notices were slapped on building owners who had failed to install fire safety equipment. However, things are back to square one.

Senior Deputy Mayor Harinder Kohli said he would direct the fire department to inspect all such premises in Patiala and submit a report. “We cannot take chances when it comes to our children and city residents. No laxity will be tolerated,” he said.