Games HQ fails fire safety test, yet to get no-objection certificate
The Commonwealth Games headquarters on Jai Singh Road is again in news — for the wrong reasons. The Delhi Police’s fire department has claimed that the building is yet to receive a ‘no objection clearance’.
The Commonwealth Games headquarters on Jai Singh Road is again in news — for the wrong reasons. The Delhi Police’s fire department has claimed that the building is yet to receive a ‘no objection clearance’.
The clearance is mandatory to occupy the building. Ironically, the building was occupied almost eight months ago.
Earlier, the Delhi Urban Arts Commission and the architect of the building came down heavily on the Games panel for the ‘pink and purple wrap’ adorning the façade.
Generally, the fire department issues the NOC or clearance certificate to any building after it is fully constructed.
After the go-ahead from the fire department, the municipal body concerned — in this case the NDMC — issues an occupancy certificate.
Fire department officials had inspected the building in January and found that it did not meet all requirements.
“To obtain a clearance certificate, a building must have in place a certain number of exit points, an efficient fire detection system, extinguishers, smoke management system, alarms among others,” said G.C. Mishra, Chief Fire Officer.
According to sources, it was found that a lot of exit points in the building were blocked and it did not have a proper detection system.
Fire officials said NDMC was late in applying for the clearance because construction of the outer structure and work on the interiors was being carried simultaneously.
“Normally, clearance is sought soon after the main construction is over. Another inspection will be carried out,” said Mishra.
The organising committee’s secretary general Lalit K. Bhanot said they were was looking into the matter.
“We are the tenants of the building and are occupying it for a particular time period. We have been informed by the NDMC, who is the caretaker of the building, and we are looking into the matter,” he said.
The NDMC, under whose jurisdiction the building falls, said the matter has already ‘been looked into’.
“We have communicated their requirements to the organising committee. We have been informed that all the required amendments have been made and we will get the clearance after the fire department officials conduct their next inspection,” said Anand Tiwari, director, public relations, NDMC.
