The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s fire and emergency services department has declared 20 multi-storied buildings, including 15 private hospitals, unsafe for failing to install fire safety measures. These buildings have been issued notices to this effect on Tuesday.
Among the major violators of fire safety norms include KRIMS Hospital, Moazma Shahid Ali Jafari Hospital and Research Centre, Matru Seva Sangh (Sitabuldi Maternity Home, North Ambazari Road), Dr Khalatkar Hospital and Dr Sanjiv Devidas Choudhari.
On several occasions, TOI had highlighted that even though Nagpur has emerged as the health care hub of Central India, fire safety remains a big concern at most hospitals in the city.
Many hospitals are potential death traps in the absence of any firefighting mechanism or fire escape arrangement, sources said. Situation at about 40 private hospitals and clinics poses a serious threat in case of a fire incident, like the one that broke out at AMRI Hospital in Kolkata, which claimed over 90 patients.
Recently, TOI had revealed that of the 600 hospitals and nursing homes in the city, around 150 come under large establishment category, with the height of buildings being more than 15 metres. Of them, less than 33% have complied with fire safety norms, while 67% are unsafe.
On Tuesday, the fire department issued notices to 20 such buildings. These buildings are over 15 meters high and lack the appropriate side margin. Also, there are no emergency staircases and the main staircase are not free of obstructions. Besides, fire fighting installations like wet riser, hose reel and sprinkler system are missing. Most of the buildings were also not constructed as per national building code, fire department sources said
Confirming the development, NMC chief fire officer Rajendra Uchake told TOI that these buildings have been declared unsafe under Maharashtra Fire Safety and Prevention Act, 2006. With the owner and occupants of these buildings apparently not paying heed to the notices, the fire department is now planning to seal these premises and also disconnect water and power supply.
UNSAFE BUILDINGS
KRIMS Hospital, Ramdaspeth; Shravan Hospital, Guranank Pura; Chaudhary Hospital, Juni Shukruwari; Shree Hospital, Sudampuri; Matru Seva Sangh, North Ambazari road; Khalatkar Hospital, Reshimbagh; Shirbhate Hospital, Ganesh Nagar; Cure It Hospital, Dighori; Aastha Hospital, Ayurvedi Layout; Dr Sunil Ambulkar, Bajaj Nagar; Residency Hospital, Ambedkar Chowk; Matrutav Hospital, Bhamti; Critical Care Hospital, Darodkar Chowk; Arogya Super Specialty Hospital, Somalwada; Moazma Shahid Ali Jafari Hospital, Umred Road; Gayatri Tower, Lakadganj; Bhuvaneshwari Bhavan, Lakadganj Layout; Vidarbha Premier Co-operative Society Limited, Gandhisagar; building of Vasant Pathak, Dhantoli; building of Sweta Shridhar Atre, Pandhrabodi.
Date: July 13, 2016