The Noida Authority allowed the building, where a fire broke out in Sector 11 here on Wednesday, to function without requisite No Objection Certificates (NoC), says a fire department report sent to the State government.
The plot was allotted in 1980 and in the last 37 years, no completion certification was issued by Noida Authority. The Authority had also allegedly allowed renting out of the building in October last year without ensuring fire safety. The report sent to the government highlights major security lapse and negligence on the part of the Noida Authority as the power department gave a connection to the building without an occupancy certificate. There was also allegedly no setback area in the building.
Uttar Pradesh fire department joint director Arvind Kumar told The Hindu that the department did not issue final NoC to the owner of the building. “At the time of commencing of construction, the fire department issues provisional NoC. After construction of building based on sanctioned plan, the Noida Authority should have issued completion certification. When completion certification is applied for, the Noida Authority or the building owner should have sought a final NoC from the fire department,” Mr. Kumar said.
Recently reconstructed
The building had been reconstructed recently and a layout plan was submitted on April 6, 2015. The fire department had also issued provisional NoC on March 30, 2015. The Noida Authority, however, without completion certificate and examining safety measures, permitted renting out the building to M/s Excel Greentech Pvt. Ltd.
“The staff working with the company said that the company is in the business of electrical products, especially LED lights. The staff said assembling activities were on in the basement, while the ground and first floors were used for storage, and the company staff were on the third floor,” Deputy Labour Commissioner B.K Rai said.
Team formed
Noida Authority additional CEO P.K. Agarwal said that a team had been formed to examine the facts. “We have to go through the policy to see if the Authority can allow operations without completion certificate or not,” Mr. Agarwal said.
On Friday, the police will resume its search operation in the basement. Missing company employees include one Hitesh, company director Sanjoy Das and two cousins of security guard Manoj and transporter Arun Sharma. An FIR has been lodged against Excel Greentech Pvt. Ltd. and the plot owner company SRS Creations Pvt. Ltd. for negligence.
