Fire threat looms over 25,000 Indore buildings:Municipal Corporation fails its own safety norms, commercial hubs operate without proper systems

The recent fire incidents in Indore, the commercial capital of state, have shaken the city, exposing glaring gaps in fire safety despite official claims of vigilance. Authorities have announced a 15-day inspection drive, warnings for high-rise buildings, and mandatory fire-control system installations. However, ground realities paint a starkly different picture. Investigations by Bhaskar reveal that in many buildings where fire-control systems are mandatory, either these systems are not installed at all, or they have become non-functional due to lack of maintenance. Alarmingly, the very department responsible for setting safety standards in the city does not have a functional fire-control system in its own building. Similar unsafe conditions exist in commercial complexes across the city. The question remains: even after eight deaths in recent fires, have the authorities learned any lessons? How can fire-control systems save lives if they are ignored? Why does bureaucratic lethargy persist even after such tragedies? Read in this report… The scale of the problem Indore has more than 25,000 buildings where fire-control systems are mandatory. While new constructions have partially implemented these systems, older buildings either lack them entirely or maintain them poorly. High traffic in many areas also delays fire brigade response, costing precious ‘golden minutes’ and increasing the extent of damage. Municipal initiatives: 15-day fire safety drive The administration has announced a 15-day special campaign, emphasizing awareness and installation of fire-control systems across vulnerable buildings. Here’s a snapshot of fire safety concerns from three locations in Indore: 1. Municipal Corporation: Rule-makers are careless The Indore Municipal Corporation, responsible for inspecting fire safety and issuing NOCs, lacks functional fire-control systems in its own building. Both old and new buildings under the corporation’s purview do not have fully operational fire hydrant systems. While old buildings rely on fire extinguishers, these can handle only small fires. High-rise fires require fully operational hydrants, which are largely absent. 2. Novelty market: Crowded alleys, high risk Novelty Market on Jail Road, housing over 100 shops, is highly fire-sensitive. Narrow lanes, heavy crowds, and lack of fire safety measures make evacuation difficult during emergencies. Nearby 11kV transformers with exposed wires further increase the risk. Shopkeepers claim that multiple ownership of shops prevents coordination, hindering installation of fire systems. 3. Silver mall: Systems installed but useless Silver Mall, near Devi Ahilya University and known for its computer market, also shows worrying conditions. Fire extinguishers expired in 2023 remain unreplaced, and fire hydrants, though installed, have jammed due to poor maintenance. According to regulations, these systems should be tested every 20 days, which is not happening here. Fire safety expert Prakash Rajdev: Key guidelines and shortcomings 1. Mandatory rules and Hydrant systems According to NBC Code-16, fire hydrant systems are compulsory in G+6 or higher commercial buildings (12m spacing) and residential buildings (15m spacing). Systems include rooftop tanks, fire-resistant pipelines, and floor-wise connections to control fires during the golden time. These should be tested every 20 days. 2. Lack of Fire Act and experts MP has not implemented a separate Fire Act yet. Trained fire experts are scarce, and responsibilities often stop at issuing NOCs or sending fire brigades. 3. Old buildings are most vulnerable While new buildings are somewhat compliant, older constructions remain extremely unsafe. 4. Golden time loss Fire brigades often take 15-20 minutes to reach a site — the critical window when fires inflict maximum damage. Hydrants must function immediately to prevent losses. 5. NOC and Technical gaps The NOC process is slow and complex. Civil officers, rather than fire experts, make technical decisions. Hiring private consultants or trained specialists is now essential.