Ghaziabad: Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has sealed 56 establishments, including coaching centres and private dispensaries, for operating without mandatory fire no-objection certificates (NOCs).After Monday’s fire at a commercial complex housing a coaching centre in Lucknow that left 15 dead, the Authority has identified 206 more establishments across the city and issued notices directing them to comply with fire safety regulations. Officials said enforcement drives would continue amid growing concerns over fire incidents.On Tuesday, the fire department had inspected coaching institutes, libraries and other high-footfall establishments, focusing on the availability of fire-fighting equipment, emergency exits, electrical safety systems and evacuation preparedness. Officials said 81 centres were inspected.Several centres had single staircases and were operating without dedicated fire exits and inadequate fire-fighting arrangements.“In some cases, electricity connections were disconnected,” chief fire officer (CFO) Rahul Pal said. Notices were issued to 35 institutes found violating fire safety regulations.“Since May, GDA has been relentlessly carrying out inspections for violation of fire safety norms on group housing societies, hotels, banquet halls, restaurants, coaching institutes, hospitals, dispensaries and commercial establishments,” an official said. “Fifty-six buildings, mostly coaching centres and private dispensaries, have been sealed today under the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973. We have a list of 206 establishments that lack a fire safety mechanism. We will take action against all of them in due time.”GDA has also instructed resident welfare associations to ensure fire alarm and sprinkler systems remain functional and that access routes to buildings and high-rises are kept clear.“Any illegal construction against the sanctioned layout plan should be demolished and if it is not done, GDA will demolish it itself and the cost will be incurred from RWAs. The AOAs have also been instructed to carry out fire safety mock drills and create awareness among residents,” said the official.The UP Building By-laws 2025 has set up norms related to the fire safety of every building, and the plan is passed by the development authority in accordance with the by-laws.The bylaws state that for group housing where the distance between two buildings is more than 9 metres, a balcony is permitted above 6m height to enable fire tender movement. For group housing, where the distance between buildings is less than 9 metres but above 6m, a balcony is permitted above 6m height to enable fire tender movement.Porches or porticos in high-rise buildings should not interfere with the fire tender movement.The fire department earlier initiated action against 82 high-rise building owners for violating fire safety norms. “We have filed cases against violators in buildings that are over 15m. We found multiple violations, especially a defunct fire-fighting mechanism and blocked driveways,” said CFO Pal.The fire department has received Rs 10 crore as a first instalment from GDA for procuring hydraulic platforms that can reach up to 102m. “We will procure two hydraulic platforms which could reach 102m, and the tendering process has been done and by next year we will have it in the district. Also, we have requested GDA for an additional Rs 10 crore to procure a compressed air foam system,” he said.
