Bengaluru: The tragedy at Conrad Hotel in Halasuru Friday has once again brought the spotlight on safety standards at luxury hotels that charge patrons exorbitant room tariffs.Following the news of two foreigners dying of electrocution at the swimming pool, netizens criticised luxury hospitality establishments for charging upwards of Rs 20,000-25,000 per room, while allegedly failing to ensure basic safety standards. A social media user wrote, “This is scary. And happening at a luxury hotel where one would expect safety standards.”Another user, Kumar B Gowda, said, “How can electricity reach a swimming pool in a five-star hotel? This raises serious questions about electrical safety, maintenance standards, and guest protection. Authorities must conduct an independent technical inspection, establish accountability, and take appropriate legal action if safety violations or negligence are found. Human lives cannot be compromised in the name of luxury and hospitality. Safety standards must be non-negotiable.”Hospitality companies issue safety guidelinesFollowing the accident at the five-star hotel, hospitality establishments in the city are stepping up their safety protocols.PC Rao, honorary president, Bangalore Hotels Association, said, “We are discussing the introduction of comprehensive safety guidelines, including regular electrical inspections and extensive staff training, across hotels. We will review and revamp existing safety protocols and focus on strengthening routine inspections. We will also take stock of the measures required to prevent and respond to such incidents. As a precautionary measure, we will issue instructions to our member hotels. The hotel where the incident occurred is not a member of our association.”Several hospitality companies have also issued safety instructions for checks at their properties. Rajanish Babu, COO, Shilton Hospitality Pvt Ltd, said: “We have an uncompromised duty of care towards our guests and staff, and even a minor lapse can have serious consequences. All unit heads have been instructed to conduct comprehensive safety and technical audits across every operational area with immediate effect.”
