The State government on Thursday said it will stop electricity and water supply to high-rise buildings — malls, multiplexes, auditoriums and apartments — that do not adhere to safety norms.
Home Minister K.J. George, who reviewed fire audit of high-rise buildings across the State with Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Department Director General of Police M.N. Reddi, told presspersons that Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) would be asked to disconnect supplies to high-rises in the State capital found violating safety norms.
In other cities, the respective electricity supply companies and Karnataka Water Supply and Sewerage Board would be asked to act against violators.
The fire department issues a “no objection certificate” (NoC) to operationalise buildings that are 15 metres high or taller; or buildings with ground plus four or more floors. It has been conducting one-time safety audit of all high-rises in cities. Developers of several old and new malls, apartments, auditoriums and commercial complexes have obtained NOCs from the department but failed to follow fire safety norms, Mr George said. There is no periodical inspection of these buildings. During the audit, which commenced a few months ago, the department began identifying buildings that violate safety norms, he said. The High Court of Karnataka had directed the State government to carry out a fire audit of all high-rise buildings following the fire in Carlton Towers in February 2010.
With 10 per cent of the workforce regularly attending training camps, Mr. George said the department is short of 500 personnel. It has been decided to utilise the services of Home Guards in fire and emergency services.
‘Bescom, BWSSB will be asked to disconnect supply to high-rises if they were found violating norms’
