Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 15: Despite order issued by the higher-ups, authorities have failed to conduct fire safety audit of all hotels and other vulnerable buildings across the Union Territory of J&K. The unfortunate incident at Talban Till, in which three fire-fighters have lost their lives, has exposed casual approach being adopted by the authorities in identify vulnerable buildings and institutions situated within the city. On November 4, 2019, the J&K administration, on the directions of Lt Governor G C Murmu, had ordered a fire safety audit across J&K to ensure safety of the people.
It was ordered that a fire safety audit of all hotels and guest houses across J&K will be conducted with officers drawn from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Revenue, Tourism, Power and Tourism Development Authorities.
Credible sources said that instead of taking this issue seriously only cosmetic exercise was conducted and no effective steps were taken to ensure safety of vulnerable buildings. It was announced that building found to be deficient or not conforming to the fire safety norms will be required to take corrective action and address the gaps.
Baring from few, the Government hospitals and other major government buildings, in the state have said to be no major fire fighting system in place, which in turn is endangering the lives of thousands of people.
In these government hospitals and other buildings, deficiencies in compartmentalization to prevent spread of smoke and fire from one section to another, lack of smoke management system and unreliable fire management systems have been noticed. |
