NMC Fire Deptt says, Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha building unsafe

19-09-13

Staff Reporter
Fire and Emergency Services Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has declared the building of Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha as ‘unsafe’ from fire safety point of view. The building was declared unsafe as it lacked necessary fire safety measures.
The department had dubbed the building as ‘unsafe’ vide a notice issued on September 18. Rajendra Uchake, Chief Fire Officer of NMC, told ‘The Hitavada’ that the notice was issued as Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha did not comply with the fire safety provisions within stipulated time. “We had asked them to ensure that fire fighting systems were functioning properly. However, there was a lenient approach on part of the organisation. Hence, we have issued the notice,” he said.
According to Uchake, Fire and Emergency Services Department had asked the organisation to vacate the building immediately. “We have asked them to install effective fire fighting system or vacate the premises immediately. We may grant them reasonable time for the purpose,” he said. The building has sprinkler system but it is not working, he added. At least, he said, there should be working water-based fire fighting system.
According to the notice issued by Fire and Emergency Services Department of NMC, Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha building is six-storeyed structure that lacked coupling of hose pipes on second, fourth, and sixth floors. The building lacks fire-resistance doors. But, it has an emergency staircase. If the organisation does not vacate the building, water supply and power supply to the building would be disconnected as part of action, the notice stated. As the last step, the department may ask Commissioner of Police to seal the building.
It may be mentioned here that Dharampeth Zone of NMC had issued a notice to Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha Sabha regarding illegal construction of 1,095 sq mtrs on its land leased out to Wockhardt Hospital. A demolition notice also was issued to the Sabha under the relevant provisions of Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act. Subsequent to this notice, Maharashtra Rashtrabhasha had removed illegal construction.