No scope for fire-safety lapses: Gupta; MCD initiates compliance survey

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said her government will not tolerate lapses in fire-safety compliance and instructed officials to ensure the process of issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) to commercial establishments becomes more transparent and hassle-free.

Her remarks, made during a review meeting with senior Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials, coincided with a citywide inspection drive ordered by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which licenses these establishments. The move follows the December 6 fire in Goa that claimed 25 lives, including four Delhi residents. The civic body has directed checks at hotels, restaurants, clubs, and multiplexes to verify compliance with fire-safety requirements and licensing rules.

Ms. Gupta said regular inspections of large events and commercial spaces were essential to prevent tragedies. “Fire safety is not the responsibility of the government alone. Owners of establishments must also ensure that all required safety measures are in place,” she said.

Smoother NOCs

The CM said she had received complaints about delays and cumbersome procedures in obtaining NOCs. She directed officials to identify such cases, submit a detailed report, and prepare proposals to simplify the rules. Ms. Gupta directed the Chief Secretary and DFS officials to examine the current mechanism and frame new guidelines if needed.

She said Delhi’s fire-fighting system must be “swift, transparent, and reliable”. “The purpose of the NOC system is public safety, not to burden business owners,” she said.

No room for negligence

MCD Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma said the Goa tragedy underscores the need for a comprehensive review of hotels, restaurants and bars. She stressed that every establishment must hold a valid MCD licence and comply with fire-safety rules. “Any kind of negligence will not be tolerated,” Ms. Sharma said.

The chair of the civic body panel directed Health Department officials to prepare a zone- and ward-wise list of all establishments concerned within five days.

The list must include details on licensing status, seating capacity permissions, and renewal dates, helping the committee identify businesses operating without permission or those with overdue renewals, she said, warning of strict, immediate action against violators.

A day earlier, councillor and Indraprastha Vikas Party leader Mukesh Goyal raised concerns about open-terrace restaurants, alleging widespread violations. Without urgent checks, he warned that a “Goa-like tragedy could happen in Delhi”.