HYDERABAD: A high-power committee constituted by the High Court to suggest fire safety measures in high-rise buildings is yet to finalise the recommendations and submit its interim report even as hearing on the case is scheduled for Thursday.

While the Fire Services Department had declared 2,400 buildings in the capital as "unsafe", the Government formed a committee headed by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Secretary to ensure that fire safety equipment was installed in February this year.

Other members were drawn from the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, Hyderabad Urban Development Authority, National Construction Academy, besides Fire Services Department.

Five meetings

Since then, the committee had met five times but is yet to come out with any recommendations even after three major fire accidents took place at Pushpanjali Complex at Koti (February 5) Moghal Court in Basheerbagh (June 2) and Meena Jewellers at Punjagutta (October 21) till date this year.

"The committee has to submit its report within three months, but no follow-up action has been taken so far," sighed an official. Apparently, there was disagreement among the panel members on the department insisting on total compliance of the National Building Code.

Other point of disagreement with the municipal officials was reportedly the suggestion to blacklist builders and prosecute them for not adhering to fire safety rules despite being issued notices, official sources say.

"Why should builders be spared when those involved in even petty crimes are being prosecuted? We have to act as per the Supreme Court judgment and other relevant orders as even residential complexes were found to be potential fire traps," reasons an official involved in the exercise.

Final decision

When contacted, MA & UD Secretary S. P. Singh claimed draft recommendations have already been prepared and a final decision would be taken at the next meeting to be held within a couple of days.

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