PMC to act against hostels flouting fire safety norms

Patna: The state fire service will soon conduct fire safety audit at paying guest (PG) hostels operating in residential buildings, and issue notices to those running without proper fire safety measures.
“We are planning to conduct random fire safety audits at these hostels soon. Notices will be served to the operators violating fire safety norms. Afterwards, the sealing process will be initiated.We will also further provide an online portal for the hostel operators from where they could apply for fire safety audits,” said Patna municipal commissioner, Animesh Kumar Parashar.

Shashi Palace, a G+9 building located on Nala Road, has commercial shops on the front side of the ground and first floor, while the rest of the complex consists of residential flats.
Aradhna Vats, a resident of the complex, said that there were around 56 residential flats in the building. “A hostel is being operated in eight flats in which school-going and college students live. There are more than 150 girls living here. Only one lift is functional; another one became out of order in an accident around two months ago,” she added.
Mrinal Mrityunjay, another resident, said the PG students live on the 4th, 5th, and 7th floors, while a mess (kitchen) is operated in one flat. “All the fire safety equipment is out of order for the last several years as the building is more than 20 years old. Around 10 gas cylinders are being stored for the kitchen in one flat. We have made several complaints to the authorities concerned, but no action has been taken till now,” he added.
B B Sinha, treasurer of the residential society, admitted that the fire services are defunct. He said that a new lift will be installed soon and the emergency fire exit, will be cleared soon.
More or less, the same situation can be witnessed in Rajendra Nagar, Makhania Kuan, Ashok Rajpath, Anandpuri, Sri Krishna Puri, and several other localities of the state capital.
Patna Sadar SDM, Shrikant Kundlik Khandekar said, “The commercial hostel operators have to take a no objection certificate (NOC) from the PMC for fire safety. Residents can complain directly to the district administration about fire safety norms violations by them.”