Bhubaneswar: The recent Lucknow fire tragedy that claimed 15 lives has triggered alarm bells in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, exposing a silent yet growing menace — illegal commercial activities operating out of residential buildings without basic safety safeguards.A citywide mapping exercise initiated by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, following directions from Supreme Court, has revealed widespread violations. Many apartments and houses in prime residential areas have been converted into commercial establishments, raising serious concerns about fire safety.The situation also raises questions about the structural stability of the buildings concerned. Initial findings revealed that areas such as Chandrasekharpur, Patrapada and KIIT Road in Bhubaneswar emerged as hotspots where unauthorised commercial operations are flourishing.Among the most alarming trends is the rise of cloud or ghost kitchens operating from residential flats in both cities, which have a considerable population of office-goers and students. These cloud kitchens often use commercial LPG cylinders in poorly ventilated spaces, posing a significant fire hazard.Similarly, several apartments have been sublet and converted into e-commerce storage hubs and godowns, storing large quantities of goods without adhering to safety norms. Officials also flagged the growing number of unlicensed physiotherapy clinics, wellness centres and home-run medical units operating from upper floors of residential buildings.”We surveyed in the past and warned of strict action against violations. We have renewed our efforts now, and have been rigorously checking residential units being misused for commercial purposes. We will not spare anyone violating the norms,” mayor Sulochana Das said.According to experts, many such buildings are structurally unfit for commercial usage. “Many buildings have blocked setback areas, lack the mandatory 3-metre clearance for fire tenders, and are equipped with only narrow, single-exit staircases without emergency escapes,” urban planner Dipu Nanda said.Civic authorities have admitted that enforcement has been difficult due to the concealed nature of these operations. “Unlike roadside shops, such facilities operate discreetly behind residential doors, making detection dependent on physical verification,” a senior civic body official said.The problem is further complicated by fragmented jurisdiction among multiple agencies, including municipal corporations, development authorities, fire services and health department. This allows operators to obtain trade licences without securing mandatory building plan approvals or fire clearances.In response, the state govt has stepped up enforcement. “Enforcement alone will not help. The authorities need to correct things right from the beginning. The trade licensing system should be stricter in the first place. The authorities should not wait for another disaster to happen,” urban expert Piyush Rout said.
