CHANDIGARH: Concerned about the lack of a firefighting system at the Dhanas Rehabilitation Colony, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has urged the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) to expedite its installation.
The administrator expressed frustration over the delays and has instructed the CHB to take immediate action and report back within a month.
Over 45,000 lives are at risk in the city’s largest rehabilitation colony, which has been without a firefighting system for 13 years. The colony contains 8,448 flats allocated to slum dwellers as part of a Government of India scheme, with residents moved in since 2013.
Akhil Bansal, a local resident and activist, stated, “The administration has failed to provide a firefighting system, which is a legal necessity under the National Building Code-2016. It’s alarming how an occupancy certificate was granted without this essential provision.”
Initially, the administration had declined funding for the firefighting system. However, after persistent appeals, they recognized the necessity of installing a firefighting system in every building as mandated by the NBC-2016.
According to the National Building Code, every multi-storey building is required to have firefighting measures; yet, no accountability has been assigned for the delays in implementing this critical service.
“On October 7, 2020, the Chief Fire Officer of Chandigarh instructed the Superintendent of Housing to apply for fire clearance for the 8,448 small flats within 30 days, warning of further action if they failed to comply. However, authorities have yet to implement necessary fire safety norms,” Bansal remarked.
A firefighting system has already been installed in 4,960 small flats in Maloya.
An official mentioned, “We will commence installation soon after receiving final approval. There are also concerns regarding the maintenance of the firefighting system.”
Fire Safety Regulations
The National Building Code mandates that firefighting systems be in place. In correspondence to the CHB, the Chief Fire Officer, Chandigarh, specified the required fire-safety measures for buildings: fire extinguishers and hose reels on each floor, a two-way fire brigade connection, a terrace water tank with at least 5,000 liters capacity, and a sprinkler system if a basement exists. They were advised to implement these fire-safety measures and notify the office for clearance.
