Bengaluru: In the wake of a recent fire accident at a high rise building in Mumbai nearly a fortnight ago, the Department of Fire and Emergency Service conducted surprise checks in various buildings in Bengaluru and other parts of the state.
Police said the department issued notices to 24 high rise malls and commercial establishments, including 11 in Bengaluru. Regarding the drive Sunil Agarwal ADGP (fire) said the department has strictly warned the building promoters to provide proper two wheeler parking area, clear permanent and temporary structures around malls to provide ample room on the drive way for easy movement of fire trucks during emergency.
He said blocking the way was criminal trespass and also amounted to endangering lives. Instructions were given to all the fire officers in the districts they began the drive early Sunday.
In Karnataka there are 44 malls and notices were issued to two malls in Kalaburagi, three in Mysuru, three in Hubballi, four in Managaluru and one in Davangere for not ensuring fire safety measures.
In Bengaluru there are 28 malls and notices were issued to Rockline Mall, Jalahalli, Vaishnavi Mall, Yeshwanthpur, Viga City Mall and Royal Meenakshi Mall, both at Hulimavu, Golden Heights, Rajajinagar, More Mall, Bangalore Central Mall, three Brand Factory outlets on Sarjapur Road, Reliance Retail outlet in Kanakapura Road, Lido Mall, Halasuru and Pothys Mall near Majestic.
In most of these malls two wheelers parking is on the driveway and shops, temporary advertising boards, car parking, commercial shops were found in the driveway and fire department has strictly instructed them to clear them in three days. Agarwal warned that if the malls fail to comply department’s order, it will write to the concerned electricity and water suppliers to cut off supply to erring malls.
It has been noticed that during most fire accidents in high rise buildings, firemen found the driveway was not clear enough for fire trucks to move freely, thereby losing precious time.
Another senior official said if a fire incident takes place it is important to reach the spot on time. In some cases though fire trucks reached the spot on time, they could not enter the mall due to space constraint, thereby resulting in greater loss of lives and property.
While applying for no-objection certificate, the mall promoters ensure that the driveway is free, but slowly they start building structures and allow parking, he added.
