Ahmedabad has a serious fire safety issue. Over 300 high-rise buildings in the city do not have a valid Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). This figure comes from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Fire Department data. Among these buildings, 259 are residential, while 50 are commercial-cum-residential. This situation is alarming, especially after the tragic Rajkot Gaming Zone fire that took 27 lives last year.
The non-compliance issue varies across different areas. In commercial-cum-residential zones, Bodakdev has 8 buildings lacking clearance, followed by Drive-in with 5. Ellisbridge and Satellite each have 4 non-compliant buildings. Other areas like Ghatlodia and Naranpura have 3 each, while places like Navrangpura and Shahibaug have 2 each. Several other localities also have one building each without proper clearance.
When it comes to residential buildings, Bodakdev leads with 14 non-compliant structures. Satellite has 16, Shahibaug has 18, and Jodhpur, Vejalpur, Vastrapur, and Ghatlodia have 10 each. Navrangpura, Prahladnagar, and Khanpur have 8 each, while Ellisbridge and Paldi have 7. The statistics show a worrying trend, especially in newly developed hubs like Sarangpur, Gota, and Prahladnagar, which have several towers without the necessary safety certificates.
Some of the buildings listed by AMC include well-known complexes like Galaxy Towers on Judges Bungalow Road, Indraprastha Towers near Himalaya Mall, and Rahul Tower in Shyamal. Others include Takshshila Towers in Panchvati and Everest Tower on the 132-feet Ring Road. The names raise concerns because they are popular places where many people live and work.
Experts warn that having a valid fire NOC is crucial. It is not just a piece of paper; it means that life-saving systems are installed. A senior fire officer mentioned, “People think their building is safe until the siren goes off. Fire NOC means life-saving systems are in place.” This statement highlights the importance of fire safety measures in high-rise buildings.
However, some representatives from the buildings mentioned dispute the AMC’s claims. For instance, the manager of Galaxy Apartments said that all documents are in order. Similarly, the chairman of Agrawal Apartments stated that their NOC had been renewed, but a technical glitch in AMC records might be causing the issue.
Residents can check the fire NOC status of their buildings on the official AMC website, ahmedabadcity.gov.in. This option allows residents to verify their building’s safety status and take necessary actions if needed.
The lack of fire safety compliance in high-rise buildings is a growing concern in Ahmedabad. As urbanization increases, the demand for high-rise projects rises too. Therefore, ensuring fire safety measures is essential for protecting lives and properties. The city needs to address this issue seriously to avoid potential tragedies in the future. It is time for both authorities and residents to take fire safety seriously and work together to make Ahmedabad a safer place to live.