No fire exits in factories in Bawana Industrial Area

Not even a single unit running in the Bawana Industrial Area has received a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Delhi Fire Services as there are no fire exits in any of the buildings. However, factories are required to keep fire-fighting equipment, which is inspected every year. Besides this, most of the factories have illegal constructions leaving no open area for escape.

The Bawana Industrial Area houses around 15,500 factories most of which are divided into 100-150 square metre plots each. The area is small and fails to stick to the original sanctioned plan, and hence the floors are built illegally. On Monday, fire officials were spotted in the area inspecting the fire extinguishers which some factory owners had put for the safety. But, according to the sources, such factories are very few in number.

"Most of the factories in the area carry out illegal constructions as the plots are way too small for them to carry out work. Another issue is that because of thefts the factory owners leave no space in front or back and grill everything which also is problematic in times of tragedy," said one of the factory owners.

Some of the factory owners have three to nine fire extinguishers which they have put on their own and even seek the help of fire officers as and when they need to refill them.

Fire officials stated that according to the sanction plan, there should be enough space at the front and the back so that there is space for the fire exit. Also, the factory should be built in such a manner that people can from one end roam around the other end without travelling the same path.

The main issue, which some of the owners and workers highlighted, was that the plots are stuck to each other and it is impossible for them to have an entry at the back. Secondly, most of the factories here have been rented out and the people do not care about spending extra bucks on safety. Hence, even if they apply for an NOC, they will be denied as they do not fit the norms.

PRINCIPAL SECY TO PROBE BAWANA FIRE

The Delhi government has appointed the Principal Secretary (Home) to inquire into the tragic fire incident in Bawana. A site inspection will be carried out on Wednesday morning. Commissioner of Industries, Commissioner Labour Department, Commissioner North Delhi Municipal Corporation, DM (North), Additional CP (Licensing), DCP (Rohini), Executive Director DSIIDC and Director Delhi Fire Services have been asked to be present during the time of the inspection.