Taj gets an option: Go for fire safety or be sealed
Hotel Taj in Sector 17 was issued a final notice by the fire and emergency wing of the municipal corporation today, asking for compliance with fire safety rules or face sealing.
Hotel Taj in Sector 17 was issued a final notice by the fire and emergency wing of the municipal corporation on Friday, asking for compliance with fire safety rules or face sealing.
MC's chief fire officer Lalit Siwach said that during an inspection on December 29, the hotel authorities were directed to take corrective action on certain irregularities and violations within one month. But even after over four months, there has been no compliance of guidelines mandated under the National Building Code.
"And now we have issued a final notice under section 6(3) of the Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act 1986 (as extended for Chandigarh UT). If there is no compliance in a month, the Taj building will be sealed," Siwach told HT.
During inspection, the MC team had noticed absence of smoke outlets in the basement and also asked for strengthening of the fire protection system of the electrical panel.
The hotel management was also asked to strengthen the alarm system and check leakage in the water pipe. They were also advised to gather all the fire-fighting equipment in the control room.
36 buildings unsafe on PU campus
The MC has also issued notices to Panjab University for violations of safety rules in 36 buildings on the campus. Chief fire officer Lalit Siwach said, "Though we issued two notices to PU last year too, they complied with the guidelines. Now we noticed violations in 36 buildings, so have sent final notices."
These buildings include the vice-chancellor's office, the fine arts department, boys hostels 1 to 7 and girls hostels 1 to 7, besides the department of laws.
The inspection at PU found that the safety equipment were either not working or were expired. And in several cases, fire equipment was not installed and even entry and exit points were not separate.
Notices to TDI Mall, schools
Fire safety notices have also been issued to the upcoming TDI Mall in Sector 17, besides St John's High School and St Kabir School in Sector 26.