Threat of a deadly disaster looms large over the city as about 996 highrises here do not conform to the fire safety norms, an increase of more than 35 per cent over the figure last year.
“Out of a total of 2,376 highrise buildings, NOC (no objection certificate) has been issued to around 527 as of now. 996 others are flouting fire safety norms,” a senior official of the Delhi Fire Services told this newspaper on condition of anonymity.
He said, “The rest of the buildings have either just applied for the NOC or are in the initial stages of the process. Some have been converted into lowrise buildings and a couple have been sealed by the MCD, DDA or NDMC.”
The suspect buildings are located in Amrit Puri, Tughlaqabad Extension, Kalkaji, Safdarjung Development Area, Munirka, Ber Sarai, Govindpuri Extension, Lajpat Nagar, Malviya Nagar, Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk among other areas in the city.
In 2010, notices were issued to 718 highrise buildings for not following fire safety norms, while 215 others were re-notified after they failed to take any action on previous notices.
On being asked what action was taken against those failing to act, the official said, “We have cut the water and electricity connections of buildings violating the norms and they will not be restored till things are in order.”
The non-installation of fire equipment, congested staircases, narrow entry roads and absence of trained personnel to tackle emergencies are the major concerns in multi-storey buildings in crowded markets like Sadar Bazaar, Karol Bagh and Gandhi Nagar.
In residential areas, especially “lal dora” areas, illegal construction and congested roads are the basic problems which could prove disastrous. Markets which have lowrises are also vulnerable because as per the Building Bye Laws Act, 1983, building less than 15 metres in height do not need to enforce fire safety measures.
“Though most of the authorised buildings in areas like Nehru Place and Rajendra Place follow fire safety plan, those less than 15 metres in height are not secured,” official said.
He said, “The whole of Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar and many buildings in Karol Bagh do not come under our purview and thus we cannot ensure fire safety measures there.”
According to the Delhi Fire Service Rules 2010 under the Delhi Fire Service Act 2007, the occupier of the building will always maintain fire prevention and safety measures provided in the building in best condition for use by occupants or firemen.