Following Friday's fire in Kolkata hospital, West Bengal is contemplating amending building rules to ensure safety in hospitals, schools and other public buildings, Minister for Urban Development Firhad Hakim said here on Saturday. At least 91 people were killed in the devastating fire in the AMRI Hospital, Dhakuria.
Mr. Hakim said the municipalities had been asked to bring 100 per cent “new building plan” to ensure that private hospitals and nursing homes were using the basements only for car parking. If there was any violation, action would be initiated against them.
He pointed out that the authorities of the AMRI Hospital, Dhakuria had stored inflammable articles in the basement and the airconditioned duct was also made to pass from the basement which led to the tragedy.
The building rules of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation needed to be amended to ensure safety of hospitals and nursing homes, he added.
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Javed Ahmed Khan said a five-member committee would inspect various schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes and malls from Monday.
