Bhubaneswar: A month-long drive was launched in Odisha on Tuesday to inspect fire-safety arrangements in major public and commercial buildings, including shopping malls, hospitals and educational institutions.
The special fire-safety inspection drive, which will continue till October 15, assumes significance as it has been launched in the wake of a major fire incident at a hotel in New Delhi that claimed 23 lives, officials said.
During the drive, surprise inspections will be conducted at public and commercial buildings to assess compliance with fire-safety norms and identify gaps, they added.
“Through the special fire safety review campaign, Odisha Fire & Emergency Services is reviewing fire-safety practices, identifying gaps and encouraging compliance to build safer, more prepared communities across Odisha. Because a ‘Surakshita’ Odisha is the foundation of a ‘Vikashita’ Odisha,” the department said in a post on social media.
DG Fire Service Sudhanshu Sarangi said the inspections would cover educational institutions, hospitals and shopping malls. While new buildings have the required fire-safety measures, the issue remains with old buildings. Such buildings need to have active fire-safety systems to deal with possible fire incidents, he said.
If any violation or deviation from fire-safety norms is found, a notice will be issued to the proprietor of the building, and the matter will be brought to the notice of the development authority concerned, he added.
