Gurugram: Fire safety audit made mandatory for commercial outlets

Gurugram mandates fire safety audits for commercial establishments after Delhi B&B fire tragedy. Strict enforcement of safety norms ordered.

Published on: Jun 5, 2026, 04:34:13 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The Gurugram administration has made fire safety audits mandatory for all commercial establishments across the district starting Friday, directing the fire department to strictly enforce prescribed safety norms, officials said on Thursday.

The directives come a day after 21 people were killed in a fire that ripped through a B&B in south Delhi’s Hauz Rani.

Deputy commissioner (DC) Uttam Singh said the audits aim to strengthen fire preparedness and prevent accidents in commercial spaces.

“Citizen safety is the highest priority of the district administration. All commercial establishments must adhere to prescribed fire safety standards to prevent the loss of life and property during emergencies,” Singh said.

Officials said the fire department will conduct a phased audit of malls, commercial complexes, office buildings, hotels, restaurants, showrooms and other commercial establishments operating within the district. Officials added that the inspections will assess the availability and functionality of firefighting equipment, emergency exits, fire alarm systems, extinguishers, evacuation mechanisms and other mandatory safety provisions.

The DC said the audits will also focus on identifying potential safety gaps that could hinder evacuation or firefighting operations during emergencies. Establishments found violating fire safety norms will face action under relevant provisions of the law, Singh said.

“The objective is not merely to identify shortcomings but to ensure that commercial establishments proactively strengthen their safety infrastructure. Fire safety is a shared responsibility and compliance with norms is essential.”

The DC added that negligence regarding fire safety regulations would not be tolerated and instructed the fire department to report regularly on the progress of inspections and compliance measures.

He added that owners and operators of commercial establishments must immediately rectify the shortcomings and implement the required safety measures within the stipulated period. Failure to do so could invite punitive action as per applicable rules and regulations.

The administration has also appealed to business owners, commercial property managers and operators to conduct internal reviews of their fire safety systems and ensure that all equipment remains functional and accessible.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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