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Fire safety clearance rejected for MEA headquarters on Delhi’s Janpath Road
An inspection found temporary rooms and partitions without fire detection or sprinkler coverage, while a residential barrack also requires NDMC approval.
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The Delhi Fire Service has rejected fire safety clearance for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) headquarters at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan on Janpath Road, citing unresolved safety shortcomings in the basement, including damaged fire-check doors and unauthorised temporary rooms and partitions without firefighting systems.
The department said the issues identified during an earlier inspection had not been rectified.
In a letter dated September 25, 2026, addressed to the under secretary (establishment), MEA, the fire department said the premises had been inspected by fire department officials on August 29 in the presence of a representative of the ministry. It stated that the shortcomings, which had been pointed out during an inspection on January 24, 2025, were yet to be addressed.
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Broken fire-check doors remain a concern
The first issue is with the fire-check doors in the basement. The department said the glass of a fire-check door was found broken, while door closers had been removed at some locations.
“The second concern relates to changes made inside the basement. Temporary rooms and partitions have been created and the existing firefighting systems, including the detection system and sprinklers, have not been extended to these areas,” said a fire department official, requesting not to be identified.
An MEA official, who did not wish to be named, said, “MEA is in consultations with the relevant agencies to undertake necessary measures and fix issues as per the fire safety guidelines.”
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Residential barrack requires NDMC approval
The fire department noted that a portion of the basement had been converted for residential use as a “barrack” unit. It said approval from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) was required for the change, following which fire safety clearance can be given.
The report of the 2025 inspection identified eight shortcomings at the premises, including a non-functional staircase and lift-shaft pressurisation, unsealed electric shafts, a non-functional smoke management system in the basement, improperly positioned sprinklers, inadequate exit signage and a non-functional diesel engine pump, apart from the two issues that remain unresolved.
The latest communication indicates that the other shortcomings had subsequently been complied with, while the fire check door issue and unauthorised changes in the basement remained unaddressed.
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MEA told to complete repairs before re-inspection
“You may apply for a re-inspection of the premises upon the completion of the aforementioned shortcomings,” the letter added.
The letter further said that occupation of the premises without the requisite fire safety arrangements would be at the risk and liability of the owner or occupier.
The fire department has consequently asked the MEA to complete the remaining rectification work before seeking another inspection. MEA representatives did not respond to queries.
The red sandstone Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, located on Janpath, houses the Ministry of External Affairs and is a major government office complex in central Delhi. It has three interconnected blocks that have three and five floors, and its construction was completed in 2011.
