Hotels flayed for basement misuse

The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has cracked the whip on hotels using basements for commercial activities in violation of fire safety norms.

The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has cracked the whip on hotels using basements for commercial activities in violation of fire safety norms.

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Though norms say that basements have to be kept clear from any obstruction, cafeterias, shops, rooms etc have been set up. "Using basements for commercial activities or occupying it for other reasons by undertaking pucca construction causes obstruction in fire safety norms," said MCG commissioner Sudhir Rajpal. He has issued notices to the managements of such hotels.

Rajpal has also asked them to submit files of no-objection certificates (NOCs) at the earliest.

"I will take punitive action against those hotel managements who have NOCs but don't keep the basements clear," said the commissioner.

Rajpal has also asked hotel owners to attach the photographs of basements along with the NOCs.

In September 2010, nearly 28 employees of a three-star hotel in DLF City Phase 1 sustained burns injuries after a steam pipe in the hotel's cafeteria burst. The cafeteria was located in the basement of the hotel.