Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday ordered a fire safety audit campaign to be carried out across the state. The directions were issued during a meeting to review Monday’s fire in a commercial building in Aliganj, in which at least 15 persons lost their lives. Calling this incident a “major lesson” for the state, the CM said that it was important to learn lessons from it and ensure that such accidents do not occur again.During Tuesday’s meeting, the CM said that during the fire audit campaign, hospitals, nursing homes, medical colleges, coaching institutions, shopping malls, govt buildings and other commercial establishments should be inspected and compliance with necessary safety standards ensured.The CM stated that the campaign will be conducted “in public interest” and that no citizen should be harassed due to it.“A special team should be formed in each district to carry out the campaign. Proper registration of all coaching institutions should be ensured, and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) obtained from the fire department should be clearly displayed within the premises of commercial buildings,” the CM said.Stating strictly that basements should not be allowed for any commercial activities, the CM said that any building should only be used as per the land use of the area. He said that no commercial activity should be allowed in residential buildings.“Electrical load of commercial buildings should be assessed. Wherever the electrical load is found to be contrary to prescribed standards or other rules are being violated, the strictest action should be taken immediately as per the rules,” he said.During the meeting, additional chief secretary home, director general of police, director general fire service, additional chief secretary medical and health, and officials of the SDRF informed the CM about Monday’s fire. The CM said that the response time of emergency services should be lowered. He directed all concerned agencies to take necessary steps to further reduce their response time and to ensure maximum use of available resources.ACS medical and health informed the CM that as soon as information about the incident was received, 14 ambulances were dispatched immediately to the spot. The CM directed the department to carry out a fire safety audit of all medical colleges, govt and private hospitals, and other health institutions on priority basis.Referring to a fire accident that occurred recently in Delhi, the CM also reviewed fire safety arrangements in the state. He said that modern equipment, resources and technical facilities required to make the fire department more capable should be acquired immediately.Director general, fire service informed the CM that 326 permanent fire stations are operational in 296 tehsils. While 26 new fire stations are ready for inauguration, construction of 25 stations is in progress.The CM said that compliance with fire safety standards is not merely a legal obligation but a matter connected with the protection of human life. All departments should work with coordinated efforts and ensure a safe and responsible system in the state, he said.
