BENGALURU:Fire and Emergency Services Department has decided to stop water and power supply to high-rise buildings that do not have fire safety measures in place or have violated safety norms.
After chairing a review meeting of the department, Home Minister K J George told reporters that the department has directed Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company to disconnect services to high-rises which have violated fire safety norms. There are around 14,000 such buildings in the state of which 13,000 are in Bengaluru, a source in the Fire Department said.
George said if builders do not fall in line, then the department will withdraw the no-objection certificates given to these buildings.
The minister said the department officials have been inspecting high-rises regularly. The builders follow all safety guidelines at the time of taking the NOC. It is after the NOC is obtained that the violations take place, George said. He said that henceforth the department will do an audit of all high-rises on a regular basis.
George said modernisation of fire and emergency services was on the cards and soon, 90-metre ladders will be purchased. To meet the staff shortage, around 500 Home Guards will be appointed, he added.