Hyderabad: In the Old City of Hyderabad, many multi-storeyed buildings are being constructed illegally. Most of these buildings lack basic safety measures, such as firefighting equipment. The narrow lanes in these areas make it difficult for fire trucks to reach in case of an emergency, posing a serious threat to residents.
Unauthorized construction of residential apartments is common in many localities in the Old City. Builders, developers, and civic authorities have allowed these buildings to be constructed without proper permissions. As a result, the authorities have not ensured that these buildings meet safety standards.
Local activist Mohammed Ahmed points out that several fire incidents have occurred in the city this year. Despite this, officials are not paying attention to safety precautions in these buildings. He emphasizes that field officers should ensure that safety norms, including basic fire precautionary measures, are followed.
Resident Welfare Associations have also raised concerns. They note that many buildings with five or six floors and basements have zero safety compliance. These buildings lack minimal setbacks, space between buildings, small staircases, and basic safety precautions. Most of these structures are built on small land areas in narrow lanes, increasing the risk during an incident.
Asif Hussain Sohail, a member of the residents’ association, stresses that mandated safety norms should be applied to all buildings. He urges the concerned department to check safety norms, including fire safety arrangements, in multi-storeyed buildings. Safety should be a priority for both owners and builders, whether the building has permission or not.
According to fire services rules, buildings above 15 meters in height need to have fire safety equipment and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department. However, for buildings below 15 meters, especially residential ones, there is no such requirement. This leads owners and builders to ignore fire safety standards.
T Venkanna, the Hyderabad District Fire Officer, explains that various safety norms, including fire safety, are supposed to be enforced by municipal authorities during construction. He emphasizes that necessary equipment and proper fire extinguishers should be installed in every house or apartment. These precautions can prevent major disasters and save lives and property.
