Maharashtra government gives nod to raise height of hosps, but only if fire safety norms are adhered to

With the state cabinet on Tuesday giving its nod for raising the limit on height of hospitals from 30 metres to 45, decks for redevelopment of JJ, Bhagwati and Gowandi-Shatabdi hospitals among others have been cleared. Even private hospitals complying with the amended norms will be able to go for redevelopment.

The state has decided to amend the Maharashtra Fire Prevention Life Safety Act to allow 45m-tall buildings for hospitals to come up in areas under local bodies like BMC and special planning authorities like Cidco. There is, however, a rider, and that is fire safety norms satisfying international standards must be adhered to in all such buildings.

The government decided to go ahead with the amendment so that local bodies and special planning authorities, while granting permission, ensure that these buildings are complying with fire safety norms. The urban development department will be notified as the appropriate authority in this regard for giving final sanction.

The international fire safety norms require hospital buildings to be designed in such a way that fire-fighting can be done from inside instead of outside. An urban development department official said sprinklers inside the building, fire-resistant doors, circuit breakers etc, are needed to be fitted within, so that, in case of any untoward incident, safety measures are activated automatically to mitigate the disaster.

There are at least six to seven hospitals in Mumbai and surrounding areas which are facing hurdles in redevelopment due to fire safety-related issues.