ગુજરાતી
English
Mukesh Puri, Principal Secretary of Urban Development, submitted his primary investigation report to Chief Minister on fire tragedy incident that recently occurred in
Surat.
Later, Puri, apprising the media persons about the details of his submitted report, said that in reference to the report in a high-level meeting was held in Gandhinagar in which Mr. Rupani had instructed to Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Kailashnathan, Chief Secretary Dr. J. N. Singh, and others to ensure that they take necessary short, medium and long term measures to prevent reoccurrence of such fire incident in future as every life is very precious and important and our motto is to make “Gujarat safe.”
Stating his findings in report, Mr. Puri mentioned that the fire spread quickly because of flex banner and just one single wooden stair leading to 4 th floor of the building. The tragedy took serious turn due to false ceiling, using of large number of rubber-tyres for sitting arrangements, and installation of compressors of air-conditioners.
He further stated that his findings were based on his personal visit to the spot of tragedy and interactions with the victims at the hospitals.
Puri said that the deputy executive engineer has been suspended by determining his liability due to the non-inspection of the site that the COR has been issued in 2015 with Impact Fee.
More than 900 buildings were surveyed by SMC under Fire Safety regulations in December-2010. But, the deputy chief fire officer and fire officer were also suspended as they had not surveyed this building.
Two FIRs have been filed by SMC and police for submitting fake information in the application of impact fees and constructing illegal and precarious building.
In this reference, three persons were arrested, he added.
As per the recommendations made in the report as a part of investigation, a state-wide campaign has been launched to inspect the fire safety measures at more than 11,000 places that included educational institutes, coaching classes, cinema halls, malls, hospitals and other places of mass gatherings.
The report also mentioned to launch a massive drive to investigate the overloading of electricity power supply, transformers, safety and proper wirings of such buildings to prevent occurrence of such tragedies in future, Puri added.
Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani reiterated that the state government is on total alert to prevent reoccurrence of fire incident that occurred at tuition class in Surat city.
He further stated that the state government is determined to take stern actions against guilty persons involved in this incident and any sort of negligence would not be tolerated.
Mr. Rupani held a high-level meeting, after the submission of investigation report prepared by Mr. Mukesh Puri, Principal Secretary of Urban Development.
In the meeting, referring to the incident Chief Minister instructed to make necessary amendments in the laws, make regular inspections, and to fix criminal liabilities of the guilty persons involved in such incidents.
He further clarified that government is serious about such incident and want to make “no compromise” and will take stern actions against the guilty persons.
For safety of people’s lives, the fire safety regulations would be implemented in stringent form in the urban areas.
He also insisted that the inspections of fire safety equipment and preparedness would be done on regular basis at places such as education institutes, hospitals, hostels, malls, cinema houses, and mass gatherings in urban areas.
The places that are not complying with fire safety norms would be closed down by the government after serving a legal notice.
