17 hotels to lose water, power for flouting fire norms

MUMBAI: After cracking down on two prime clubs in south Mumbai on Thursday for flouting safety rules by using gas cylinders illegally, the Mumbai Fire Brigade on Friday directed that the water and electricity connections of 17 hotels and guesthouses in Kurla be disconnected for not complying with regulations.
Fire Brigade officials said that during regular inspection of eating houses in Kurla, 17 hotels were found not to be complying with the fire safety requirements. Some of the hotels that are facing action are Royal Residency on LBS Road, Palace Residency and Sunlight guesthouse.

“The hotels were given time to comply with the fire safety rules but our team found that it was not done. On the premises of many, illegal alterations were found, and at some, the exit passageways were blocked,” said chief fire officer PS Rahangdale.

An official said that the local ward’s hydraulic department and power companies have been told to disconnect supplies. The action was carried out by one of the ward-level compliance cells that were formed earlier this week to crack down on establishments flouting fire safety norms. Each cell comprises an assistant station fire officer, a health officer, a senior inspector from the licence department and a designated officer. There are 24 cells for each ward.