Concerns related to fire safety in India

Source: The post concerns related to fire safety in India has been created, based on the article “Fire outbreaks in Delhi and Rajkot: A criminal abdication” published in “Indian express” on 27th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3– Disaster and disaster management.

News: Two major fires occurred in India within 12 hours, causing several deaths, including newborns in a Delhi hospital and others at a Rajkot gaming center.

For detailed information on the issue of Urban Fires in India read this article here

What are the major concerns related to fire safety in India?

Inadequate Enforcement of Safety Norms: Despite detailed regulations in the National Building Code, enforcement is weak, resulting in facilities often operating without necessary fire safety clearances.

Infrequent Inspections: Municipal inspections of buildings for fire safety compliance are sporadic and ineffective, usually prompted only by incidents.

Inadequate Infrastructure: A FICCI-Pinkerton study highlights a deficiency, with urban India having less than 40% of the fire stations it needs.

Recurring Tragedies: Incidents like the fires at Uphaar Cinema in 1997, AMRI Hospital in 2011, Kamala Mills fire in 2017, and recent events in Delhi and Rajkot show a failure to learn from past tragedies and improve safety measures.

Lack of Emergency Preparedness: Audits show a systemic lack of preparedness, with a significant percentage of healthcare facilities lacking fire safety clearance.

What has been the response toward fire safety in India?

Legal Response

Court Involvement: The Gujarat High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the Rajkot gaming center fire, demanding reports on the safety of gaming centers from municipalities in Rajkot, Surat, and Ahmedabad.

Investigations Initiated: Following the tragic fire in a Delhi hospital, the Delhi government launched an investigation to uncover the causes and potential lapses in fire safety protocols.

Government Action

Regulatory Framework: The National Building Code provides extensive guidelines on fire safety, but implementation and enforcement at the municipal level remain weak.

For detailed information on Guidelines of National Building Code read this article here

Safety Audits and Guidelines: The 2021 audit in Maharashtra found over 80% of hospitals without fire safety clearance, confirming widespread non-compliance. The Union Health Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority issued new guidelines in March, particularly emphasizing fire safety in healthcare facilities,

Infrastructure Development: Acknowledging infrastructure deficiencies, the 15th Finance Commission recommended modernizing firefighting facilities to meet the demands of a rapidly urbanizing nation.

Conclusion

Repeated fire tragedies in India demonstrate a critical need for better fire safety practices and stricter enforcement to protect lives.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key factors contributing to the recurrence of fire tragedies in India and the corresponding responses from legal and governmental authorities.