High-rises of 150 m will be built. Safety?
Noida IS well on its way to become a city of high-rises like Gurgaon, reports Kapil Datta.
Noida IS well on its way to become a city of high-rises like Gurgaon. This township, too, lacks facilities to deal with fire accidents. Most of the fire-fighting systems installed in institutional, commercial and residential areas are either inoperative, or poorly maintained.
Noida Malls, hospitals, and multi-storeyed residential complexes have poor fire safety and smoke extraction measures. Most do not even have trained staff to operate fire extinguishers, fire officials say.
Fire Officer Abhay Bhan Pandey told Hindustan Times, “Noida has been declared a ‘no height freeze zone’ and in the near future, high-rises of 100 to 150 meters will be built. But the Noida Fire Department lacks facilities for coping with fires in high-rises. We just have an 11-metre hydraulic ladder, which is insufficient to cope with fires even in 30 to 35-meter buildings.”
“Noida has two fire stations with 8 fire engines, 69 firemen, 34 hydrants and 37 static tanks. Privates MNC companies have their own fire tenders. These fire tenders are requisitioned by the fire department in the event of a major fire,” said Pandey.
Haryana’s Fire Safety Code Bill
THE PROPOSED Modern Fire Safety Code Bill of Haryana may make it mandatory for developers to install helipads atop skyscrapers. Even malls, hospitals and hotels may have to provide a helipad for landing and evacuation in the event of crises. A report, compiled by a special panel, has been submitted to the Chief Secretary. Now the Cabinet’s nod is awaited. Will UP take a cue from Haryana?
Email author: kapildatta13@gmail.com
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