Bhopal hotels under scanner after Delhi tragedy:Basement kitchens, missing escape routes; 38 rooms depend on 1–2 extinguishers

After the Delhi hotel accident, questions have been raised about the fire safety arrangements in hotels and restaurants in Bhopal. There are about 2000 hotels in the city, of which approximately 1300 operate restaurants and kitchens. When Bhaskar inspected fire safety arrangements in about 15 hotels and restaurants on Wednesday, only 1 to 3 fire extinguishers were found. According to the rules, there should be one fire extinguisher every 30 meters. In many places, no second exit was found, while several restaurants and kitchens were found operating in basements. The biggest issue is that despite the rules for Fire NOC, the Municipal Corporation does not have the authority to take direct action. In hotels where hundreds of people stay daily, despite heavy use of gas cylinders, kitchen equipment, and electricity, facilities like sprinklers, smoke detectors, and modern firefighting systems were not found. According to Saurabh Patel, the corporation’s fire officer, fire NOC is mandatory for buildings taller than 15 meters, plots larger than 500 square meters, or hotels with more than 50 rooms. A separate Fire Act is not implemented in Madhya Pradesh, hence there is no right to impose fines or take strict action. Municipal Corporation said – No independent Fire Act, so direct action cannot be taken Three large kitchens in the basement, no safety arrangements
5:14 PM: In the basement of BDA Complex at No. 7, the kitchens of Shankar Hotel, Sagar Gaire, and Sharma Vishnu Fast Food were found operating. In case of fire, the entire building could be affected, while adequate fire safety arrangements were not visible. Bapu Ki Kutiya in the basement, hundreds of shops above
4:49 PM: Bapu Ki Kutiya restaurant is in the basement of Jyoti Complex in MP Nagar. If a fire breaks out here, mobile, laptop, and other shops could be at risk. Only two fire extinguishers were found here in the name of fire safety. Asked for fire exit, only found a wall behind
4:30 PM: In the 38-room Grand Hotel located at Bharat Talkies, only two fire extinguishers were found on two floors. When asked about the fire exit, a path was indicated behind, but on the spot, a wall was found there. There was neither a staircase nor any exit route outside. A drain was passing below. If you want fire safety, go to an expensive hotel
4:15 PM: In the 22-room Hotel Gopi Palace, located in a narrow lane on Hamidia Road, one fire extinguisher was found, which had expired on May 16. There is only one gate for entry and exit. When asked about fire safety, the receptionist said – if you want better safety, go to an expensive hotel. Hotel-Kitchen in basement most dangerous
In Bhaskar’s investigation, many hotels and restaurants were found operating in basements. According to rules, basements can only be used for parking or storage. Operating a hotel, restaurant, or kitchen in the basement is not allowed. If the basement area is 200 square meters or more, a sprinkler system is mandatory. According to officials, in case of fire, it is most difficult to exit from the basement, which puts the entire building at risk. Will send a team for investigation
The corporation periodically inspects fire safety arrangements in hotels and restaurants. If any hotels or restaurants are operating without an NOC, they will be investigated.-Sanskriti Jain, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation