NEW DELHI: The growing bulk of unauthorised structures and vertical encroachments rampant in many parts of the city make the Capital an unsafe city, according to Delhi Fire Service chief R. C. Sharma.

For the Delhi Fire Service, May and June are its worst months with the city reporting the maximum number of fire calls. "With over 2,500 buildings in the city still not complying with fire safety norms, this added danger of unplanned construction makes Delhi an unsafe city and prone to huge casualties if disaster strikes," he added.

The Fire Service chief identified areas such as Laxmi Nagar, Kalkaji, Shakarpur and many urban villages in outskirts the most-unsafe zones that pose the biggest danger to the city.

Unauthorised structures and growing vertical encroachments are the city's biggest bane. We found that most of these vertical encroachments had three-inch wide walls that could collapse any time with small tremors. With the Capital being in the high earthquake risk category, the collapse of numerous illegal buildings would make rescue work a difficult task. The most vulnerable are buildings with parking on the ground floor," he added.

With 40 per cent of the buildings in Delhi being unauthorised, Mr. Sharma said poor quality construction, private builders constructing "over-night" structures that are unsafe and an ignorant public adds to making parts of Delhi safe.

"We need the State Governments to include strict disaster-proof and eco-friendly norms," said Mr. Sharma.

Speaking about the situation in Delhi, former Chairman of Safety and Quality Forum of Institute of Engineers Pradip Chaturvedi said: "In Delhi the major causes for fire hazards include unplanned growth, encroachments, illegal power connections, non-availability of pressurised water supply, illegal storage activities and use of sub-standard electrical equipment."

He added that safety norms which include demarcation of fire zone in major buildings, water supply for fire fighting, proper natural lighting and ventilation, proper alarm system and fire exits, proper working sprinkler system, use of fire retardant products are not adhered to while construction of public and high-rise buildings.

Mr. Chaturvedi also stressed the need for effective land use, water harvesting, using passive fire prevention systems with proper mandatory landscaping and solid waste management as part of the building plan.

"Twenty eight per cent of the country's population lives in 5,161 cities and towns, of which only 1,200 cities have Master Plan. The remaining cities do not have integrated planning frame, this too needs to be looked into."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail