Equip halls with fire safety equipment, theatre owners told

Joint Collector Gaurav Uppal has directed the cinema theatre owners to equip the buildings with fire fighting equipment according to the norms.

Severe action would be taken against the managements that fail to arrange the fire safety equipment within 15 days, he warned during a review meeting orgniased here on Friday.

Speaking at the meeting with theatre owners and the Fire Department personnel Mr. Gaural Uppal said that the officials served notices to 127 theatre managements of which only 10 theatres followed the rules and got No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department.

The owners of 24 cinema halls gave assurance in writing about installation of fire safety equipment and there was no response from the remaining 93 halls, he said and asked the managements to follow the rules and provide safety equipment for the public.

All the theatre owners in Krishna District have been requested to comply with the Fire Department's rules and get a NOC within 15 days, failing which action would be taken against them as per law, the Joint Collector warned.

Theatre Managements Association leader R.V. Bhoopal said that the owners were ready to follow the rules prescribed by the Government. District Fire Officer S. Venkatadri Chowdary said that the theatre owners can contact the nearest fire office and clarify their doubts, if any, in installation of fire safety equipment.

The fire personnel will inspect the theatres after 15 days and submit a report to the Government. Municipal Corporation Fire Officer B.V.S. Prasad, theatre owners A. Govinda Babu, G.S. Raju Yadav and fire officers attended.