GURUGRAM: A day after an interior designer died from asphyxiation in a fire in her apartment in Tulip Orange society in Sector 70, residents have raised fire
safety concerns in highrise buildings, and submitted a demand for safety
audit of Gurugram’s highrises with the district administration.
Taking note of their concern, the district administration is likely to issue an order for the audit. “Safety of residents is
paramount. We’ve received the complaints and are considering a safety
audit of highrises,” said SDM Sanjeev Singhla. Sources said the administration is planning to check how permissions and approvals are given to buildings, and what steps need to be taken to improve safety.
“Residents complained that DTCP issues fire NOCs and renewals without even inspecting sites,” he added.
“The department has approved many highrises where fire-fighting equipment is out of order,” said Sandeep Kumar, who lives in Sector 67. Sector 70 resident, Amit Kumar, said the mandatory 6m-wide road around highrise towers is non-existent in most societies. “In most cases, developer builds a covered car park there, leaving little space for fire tenders to move in an emergency,” he said, adding terraces should be made accessible to all by law.
Meanwhile, police on Tuesday recorded statements of representatives of the developer and the maintenance company, and asked them to submit the building plan and map of the project. A forensic team visited the site and collected hand prints and other samples. “We’ve recorded statements and are checking for violations, if any,” said ACP Dinesh Kumar.
Rishi Bhandari, friend of Girish Garg, husband of the deceased, said Girish’s mother-in-law is on ventilation and her condition is critical. “In the last 24 hours, she had two
asthma attacks and continues to be on life support,” said Rishi.