NEW DELHI: Be it a formal meeting or a rendezvous with friends, many head to the lively Hauz Khas Village (HKV) in south Delhi or the buzzing centrally-located Connaught Place (CP). But these areas are cramped with resto-bars in the serpentine lanes of HKV and in the dilapidated heritage structures of CP.
The nightlife hub in the capital’s south Delhi, HKV—as most prefer to call it— is not safe at all. Of the 70-odd eateries and pubs, only three have fire clearance. Congested lanes, narrow stairs to restaurants and overhanging electricity wires make the area a deadly tinderbox.
CP houses around 170 restaurants, which are under the New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) radar after two buildings collapsed here recently. CP’s heritage buildings are too old to be renovated. “Even with latest technology of reinforced concrete, one cannot guarantee that a structure will stand more than 70 years. The buildings in CP are 83 years old, and were built using reinforced bricks. Their lifespan is only 40-50 years,” an NDMC official said.
In CP, the NDMC has sealed 36 properties in which unauthorised construction was reported in the past three months. “Of the 900 properties that were issued notices for structural stability, 300 have replied. While 70 have submitted certificates, the rest have sought some time,” said an NDMC official.
Things are worse in HKV. “When constructed, Hauz Khas had a plan for ground plus one buildings, but gradually several floors were built illegally,” said a fire official said.
Adding to the menace, many outlets have built and joined mini-terraces with the main ones by spiral stairs.
CP witnesses around 20,000 people a day, while HKV sees a footfall of 12,000 on weekends. If a fire breaks out in the tinderbox that is HKV, it is impossible for a fire engine to enter the narrow lanes. It is also impossible for the hordes of people in restaurants and pubs to escape an inferno as some buildings don’t have staircases or fire escapes, only elevators. The only way to go down in case of a fire is to jump.
“Our entry is not just by a lift, we have stairs also. Construction is going on and that’s why we have closed the staircase for some time. We have bamboo furnishings on the terrace away from the kitchen area,” said Mayank Chaubey, owner of ABC Reloaded. The so-called staircase led to a closed door.
In Hauz Khas, the roads are so cramped that fire engines can’t reach a fire spot. “We will have to start fire fighting from 100 metres away. In that case, the water pressure will decrease, and we will have to use three or more hoses to douse the flames. Since we can’t change the heritage structure of CP, we check for proper ventilation, smoke outlets and hardy steps,” said Chief Fire Officer Vipin Kental.
In August last year, a man had died and another was injured in a fire that broke out due to short circuit in HKV.
Some buildings lack fire extinguishers and sprinklers, others have outdated extinguishers. In resto-bar Social in HKV, the “fire alarm call point” sign screamed in bold, but there was no fire alarm button. Resto-bar Capsule By Hinglish has four floors without a fire extinguishers. The climb to its terrace is a hard one of 80 steps.
“Restaurant licences are renewed every three years. They can directly approach us for renewals, but for the initial fire clearance, they have to go to the municipal body,” said Kental.
Many restaurants have come up in HKV in the last couple of years, but they have not applied for a clearance. “We are not issuing clearances to any eateries in Hauz Khas now. The main issues are stairs, cramped entrances, loose wires and bad flooring. Some are joining two stairs and making it the entrance for five restaurants. That is not acceptable,” he added.
Rehab Gastropub and Garage Inc., both on the first floor, have elaborate wooden furnishing. ABC Reloaded, spread across three floors is accessible only through a lift. The Village Deck, The Village Balcony, Elf Cafe and Bar, Chaayos and The Frat House are bunched up in one building with one-metre wide steps and minimal fire safety measures. The lane that leads to The Roost has overhanging electricity wires. Its balcony has been extended to make a smoking room, and there are no fire extinguishers.
“Two fire extinguishers are mandatory for every 300 square metres. The height of a building and area are to be checked for sprinklers. Sprinklers are not required on the first floor. Doors should be at least two metres wide,” Kental added.
But visitors don’t mind the fragility of HKV even in the face of death. Ankit Sarkar, 20, said, “I come here often and pay huge bills. In case of a fire, it is the responsibility of the owner to evacuate us.”
With no proper signage, no illuminated exit signs, no evacuation map, flimsy stairs and entrances, HKV is waiting for a mishap to happen.