The city on Monday witnessed yet another major fire incident claiming four lives with hotels, coaching centres and commercial and residential complexes allegedly violating safety norms putting lives of many at risk.
In a reality check of Charbagh, Naka, Shahnajaf road and Hazratganj areas,its found that most of the commercial complexes are not equipped with safety equipment like fire alarms, water sprinklers, hose reels, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and sand buckets. The establishments don’t even have emergency exits.
At Charbagh and Naka areas, dangling and entangled wires pose a major threat as they can trigger a blaze any time. Since these areas remain congested, overcrowded and encroached, neither fire tenders nor paramedics can have easy access at the time of emergency. Similar was the situation at Shahnajaf road and Hazratganj areas, where multiple hotels were found lacking fire hydrant systems.
Rajat Jaiswal (29), who booked a hotel in Charbagh, said “How can Lucknow Development Authority(LDA) and fire department give NOCs to construct commercial buildings in such congested lanes? These buildings can cause another tragedy in near future.” “Instead of taking preventive measures, authorities take action only after a mishap occurs. It shows that officials are hand-in -gloves with those who take advantage of corruption in the system,” said Naman Singh, a 21-year-old student from Hazratganj.
Prashant Kumar (31), a shopkeeper from Naka, said, “Instead of ensuring that fire safety instruments are installed at all shops, fire officials take bribes from shopkeepers violating the norms.”