INDORE: The district administration has initiated a comprehensive crackdown on buildings that do not meet fire safety standards. A 15-day ultimatum has been issued to all G+3 (ground plus three floors) and multi-storey buildings to address their fire safety deficiencies.
“Commercial and residential high-rise building owners have two weeks to ensure their fire safety systems are fully operational. Effective Monday, special teams led by Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) will commence field inspections,” stated Collector Shivam Verma during a key meeting on Sunday.
The meeting, which included Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal and other officials, discussed strategies for assessing and penalizing high-risk structures.
The administration’s review will focus on essential equipment such as fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and hydrants, which must all be operational. “Emergency exit routes must be clearly marked, illuminated, and kept unobstructed,” Verma emphasized, highlighting the need for compliance with legal requirements like valid fire safety licenses and building permissions.
“Public safety is our top priority. Any disregard for fire safety protocols will lead to strict penalties, including the revocation of licenses,” he added.
Officials noted that numerous buildings have undergone unauthorized expansions, violating building codes and obstructing ventilation or escape routes. The Collector instructed officials to promptly identify these additions. Property owners will be issued notices to remove illegal constructions, and failure to comply will result in demolition actions by the administration.
The administration will continue random inspections after the 15-day grace period to ensure ongoing compliance rather than temporary fixes.
