BENGALURU: The High Court on Monday directed the authorities to ensure the implementation of notification issued on July 7, 2011 to avoid fire hazards.
The notification was issued asking the building owners to present the Fire Safety Certificate to BBMP for permission renewal once in two years. It also requires residents to have their buildings inspected by agencies empanelled by the fire services department and present the report along with an affidavit on the condition of fire safety system to BBMP and fire department once every two years.
The notification also seeks to exclude buildings that doesn’t comply with norms from the purview of Akrama-Sakrama scheme.
Disposing the public interest litigation filed by Beyond Carlton, an organisation comprising victims of the Carlton Towers fire tragedy on Old Airport Road about five years ago, the division bench of Acting Chief Justice, Subhro Kamal Mukherjee and Justice BV Nagarathna further directed them to make joint inspection by authorities to check if the fire safety norms are being implemented.
During the hearing, Justice B V Nagarathna observed that fire exits in the several malls in the city are found locked. “I have seen a mall where the fire exit is locked. If a fire mishap occurs, where do we find the key? Is BBMP inspecting? Please go to those malls and check.. Every morning, fire exit should be opened and closed in the evening when the mall is closed,” she said.
The Acting Chief Justice Mukherjee suggested the surprise visits by the authorities are needed as Bengaluru city has some live wires and many highrise buildings.