Fire Safety Not Adequate At Barabati Stadium, Says DCP;  OHRC Directs Govt To Take Steps Before T20I

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Thursday directed the state government to ensure adequate fire safety measures at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack before the scheduled T20 Intertnational match on June 12.

The Commission’s direction came after Cuttack DCP Pinak Mishra submitted the reply to the OHRC notice on alleged lack of fire safety measures at the stadium. In his report, the DCP admitted that there were serious lapses in fire safety arrangement for the spectators at the Barabati.

The OHRC had on May 17 issued notice to Cuttack DCP and Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) secretary over alleged lack of fire safety measures at the stadium. The Commission had sought reply by May 26. The Commission issued the notice on the basis of a complaint filed by Nishikant Mishra.

The OHRC also directed the DCP to file a detailed report on fire safety arrangement at the stadium by June 26.

India will meet South Africa in the first T20I match of the 5-match series at the Barabati on June 12. The stadium is hosting an international match after a gap of two-and-a-half years.

It may be noted that DG, Fire Services SK Upadhyay had ordered for fire safety audit of malls, multiplexes, educational institutions, clinics, high-rise buildings, district hospitals and all major structures in the state following the fire mishap in Delhi which claimed 27 lives. He had issued instructions to all Assistant Fire Officers of the districts, Deputy Fire Officers of all circles and Range Fire Officers of the state to strictly enforce the guidelines of Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017.

In the worst fire tragedy in the national capital’s recent history, 27 people died inside a four-storey commercial building near Mundka Metro station on May 14.