Watchdog Foundation wrote a letter to BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta, questioning the fire safety measures adopted at the BMC headquarters
The recent fire that gutted Kurla’s eatery, Kinara, leading to the deaths of several people, exposed how hotels flout fire safety rules and the inefficiency of the BMC wards to keep a check on such violations. Soon after the incident took place, a flurry of action was seen with the BMC demolishing illegal extensions of various restaurants in the city. However, Watchdog Foundation recently shared their concerns about the lack of fire safety measures at the BMC headquarters itself. Here’s the letter that they wrote.
“It is totally shocking to note that the BMC Administration does not practice what it preaches. There has been total lethargy on your own part in enforcing the provisions of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act.
As per fire safety tips given by Mumbai Fire Brigade/BMC, the posters of which have been displayed at the entrance of BMC Annex Building at Mahapalika Marg, Opp. Azad Maidan, Mumbai, near the lift doors and at all prominent places in the said building, clearly state that ‘staircases, corridor, lobbies, fire exists, refuge area, should remain unobstructed at all times.’
We are attaching herewith a photograph of the corridor of the second floor of the BMC Annex Building at Mahapalika Marg, Opp. Azad Maidan, Mumbai, which shows as to how several wooden cupboards are blocking the corridor at the BMC Headquarters. The same is the story at different floors of the BMC Headquarters building. This action on the part of BMC clearly violates the fire safety tips stated above.
It is very unfortunate that the BMC is yet to learn its lessons and this type of behaviour on the part of BMC Administration is totally unacceptable to us, particularly in view of the recent tragedy at Kinara Restaurant, Kurla.
Having said that, the buck stops with you, Mr. Commissioner. Please clean up the mess in the BMC, which has become a cradle of corruption. Despite our past request to conduct the fire safety audit of all eateries, you failed and neglected to act in the nick of time, as a result of which eight innocent lives were lost. We hope at least now some better sense prevails over the BMC Administration. Mr. Commissioner, be human and understand the pain and the suffering of the parents and the near and dear ones of the eight innocent students, who died an untimely death.”
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