RANCHI | BOKARO:
Following the tragic fire in a residential building in Lucknow on June 22, which resulted in multiple fatalities, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has instructed property owners to secure Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) within seven days or face immediate sealing of their properties. In a similar vein, the Bokaro district administration has mandated a thorough fire safety audit for coaching centers and other establishments.
The RMC specified in a public notice that this directive encompasses all buildings within municipal limits that must comply with fire safety regulations outlined in the Jharkhand Building Bye-laws, 2016. The emphasis is particularly on high-risk and commercial properties, including multi-storey buildings, educational institutions, hospitals, hotels, and restaurants.
“Failure to comply will result in the building being sealed and legal action taken under the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011, and the Jharkhand Building Bye-laws, 2016. This serves as a serious warning,” stated Deputy Municipal Commissioner Ravindra Kumar.
In Bokaro, Deputy Commissioner Ajay Nath Jha has instructed sub-divisional magistrates, the management of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), and the Chas Municipal Corporation to ensure that coaching centers, tutorial institutes, libraries, hostels, hotels, and guest houses adhere to fire and building safety standards set by the National Building Code. Officials are required to submit detailed compliance reports within a week.
Jha has also contacted the BSL director (in charge) Priya Ranjan to confirm safety compliance and effective functioning of fire safety systems. “Any fire or disaster can result in loss of life, hence 100% compliance is essential,” he emphasized.
Authorities in Bokaro have identified significant safety deficiencies, especially in the BSL township area, where over 30 coaching centers, hostels, and tutorial institutes are active. According to district fire department officials, none of these establishments hold fire NOCs.
Concerns have been raised about insufficient emergency exit routes, as many institutions rely solely on a single narrow staircase, presenting a serious risk during emergencies. Inspection teams will also evaluate electrical safety standards and review overcrowding issues beyond allowable building capacity.
