PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE ? Nainital
In view of the massive blaze that occurred in a hotel in Delhi a few days ago, killing several, including foreigners, the district magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal has ordered a fire and disaster management audit of hotels, guest houses, lodges, homestays, commercial malls and other commercial establishments located in all urban and rural areas of the district. For this, a joint inspection committee of officials from multiple departments has been constituted. The sub-divisional magistrate, Haldwani has been made the chairman of the committee.
The DM has directed the committee to prepare and submit the report to his office within 15 days.
The committee would thoroughly examine the emergency exits, electrical wiring, availability of fire fighting equipment and validity of fire NOC in the buildings. Also, parking arrangements, adequacy of entry and exit routes, smooth movement of relief and rescue vehicles in case of fire, building approval map and actual construction status will also be examined, he added. The DM further clarified that if violation of safety standards and serious irregularities or immediate threat to public safety is found, effective action will be taken against the establishment concerned.
