Nagpur: Fiery tragedies loom large in hospitals in Nagpur as the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed the State Assembly that 73 hospitals in the Second Capital of Maharashtra have been declared unsafe by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Fire and Emergency Services Department.
This alarming disclosure came in response to queries raised by Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar and North Nagpur MLA Nitin Raut. Shinde further added that the fire audit of hospitals in Nagpur city revealed that 111 hospitals lack firefighting equipment.
The Chief Minister further said that the Fire and Emergency Services Department of the NMC conducted an inspection of 335 hospital buildings in the city up to March 31, 2024, and issued temporary fire safety certificates. Out of these, 127 hospital owners or occupiers have obtained permanent fire safety certificates from the department after verifying fire safety measures. Additionally, construction of 61 hospital buildings is currently underway, stated the CM.
Among the inspected buildings, 74 hospital owners or occupiers who failed to comply with the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006 (Amended 2023) have been issued notices under Section 6 of the Act for deficiencies and violations.
Out of these, 45 hospital owners or occupiers who did not comply with the notices issued under Section 6 have been ordered under Section 8(1) of the Act to evacuate the dangerous buildings. Further, for 35 buildings where the order to evacuate dangerous premises was not followed, actions have been taken under Section 8(2)(a) to disconnect electricity and water supply.
Relevant government agencies like MSEDCL and NMC’s Water Works Department have been informed to disconnect power and water supply of these buildings. Similarly, for 10 buildings, notices have been issued to the concerned police authority to evacuate occupants, and legal proceedings have been initiated against 2 buildings under Section 40 of the Act, Shinde said.
The Chief Minister further informed that after these actions, 129 hospital owners or occupiers have complied with the fire safety measures. The majority of hospital owners or occupiers have installed fire safety measures as per the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006 (Amended 2023), and some hospitals are in the process of implementing these measures.
The Fire Department is constantly taking actions against building owners and occupiers under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006 (Amended 2023) if they fail to comply with safety measures.
The Chief Minister’s statements highlight the critical need for stringent fire safety protocols and compliance to prevent potential tragedies in healthcare facilities across Nagpur.
