Greater Hyderabad Munic-ipal Corporation commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu on Monday set a deadline of one month for hospitals to install the prescribed fire safety measures. He also warned the hospitals authorities that the premises would be sealed if the safety measures are not in place. Mr Krishna Babu’s warning came after his meeting with fire officials, district medical and health officers and the hospitals authorities regarding fire safety measures, in the aftermath of the major fire accident that took place in Kolkata recently.

The civic body chief said that the GHMC will not spare anyone who violates the stipulated fire safety norms. “A team of officials will inspect the hospitals in all four zones and issue notices from Tuesday onwards. The hospitals have been given one month’s time to set up the fire safety infrastructure. Those hospital that initiate the stipulated measures will be given one more month to complete the process if needed. However, the hospitals that fail to install the safety measures will face closure,” Mr Krishna Babu said.

“As per the Fire Safety Act, the GHMC can seal the building or close the building, if it lacks fire safety measures,” he pointed out. During their inspection, the officials would remove encroachments, if any, in the hospitals’ cellars, the civic body chief said. The GHMC commissioner pointed out that most of the time, fire originates from the cellar of the building where illegal shops are set up. District medical and health officers were given instructions to revoke the permanent registration of those hospitals that lack fire safety measures, Mr Krishna Babu added.

However, if existing hospitals face practical problems in installing the fire safety measures like setting up of underground tanks, the GHMC may suggest some alternatives, the civic body chief said, following a request by the hospital authorities. After hospitals, the Corporation will focus on schools, shopping malls and other commercial establishments in its drive to implement safety measures.