NOIDA: District Magistrate Medha Roopam has reprimanded the Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway development authorities for failing to submit required reports on fire preparedness and safety inspections of high-rise residential buildings, despite repeated reminders over the last two months.
The deficiencies were highlighted during a District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting on Friday, where Roopam expressed strong dissatisfaction with the absence of senior officials from all three entities. She has requested written explanations from the chief executive officers regarding both the lack of compliance and the absence of senior personnel.
Officials noted that the development authorities were instructed in December and January to conduct immediate inspections of multi-story residential buildings across the district to ensure adherence to fire safety regulations and to initiate legal action for any violations found. However, as of now, no reports on compliance have been submitted.
“Despite explicit instructions in prior review meetings, none of the development authorities have provided reports on inspections of high-rise residential complexes,” stated Roopam.
Additionally, the DM expressed disappointment over the absence of senior officials at the disaster management meeting. She noted that additional CEOs or at least officers on special duty (OSDs) were expected to attend; however, only senior manager-level representatives were present. “These review meetings are critical and cannot be taken lightly. It is unacceptable to send only a senior manager to such meetings,” Roopam emphasized, adding that she has formally requested the CEOs to ensure the mandatory attendance of senior officials at all future district-level review meetings.
This issue of absenteeism and non-compliance was again raised later in the day during a Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting, chaired by the DM. Roopam instructed that compliance reports regarding decisions made in previous NCORD meetings be submitted in writing the same day, warning that any negligence would lead to strict consequences.
Roopam highlighted that GB Nagar’s dense population and significant industrial presence necessitate increased disaster preparedness. She directed departments to conduct thorough fire safety audits of hazardous and large industrial units and instructed the fire department to maintain a 24-hour readiness. Safety checks were mandated for factories, hospitals, schools, malls, hotels, and residential complexes, alongside village-level awareness programs aimed at preventing fire incidents.
Regarding road safety, officials were instructed to immediately address accident-prone areas by repairing potholes, reinstating road markings, zebra crossings, and speed bumps, and enhancing dividers, lighting, and reflective road markers. The DM also directed departments to prepare a comprehensive City Heat Wave Action Plan by March 20, 2026, for submission to the State Disaster Management Authority, with detailed reports on actions taken, supported by photographs, due within two days.
At the NCORD meeting, Roopam directed all departments to enhance coordination to intensify actions against illegal narcotics trade, drunk driving, and substance abuse. Officials were instructed to submit detailed reports on enforcement and awareness activities conducted in January.
