A few days after a massive fire in Karol Bagh took 17 lives, the Delhi Government on Friday cancelled the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for fire clearance of 30 hotels.
Pertinently, the Government audited hotels/ guest house in the vicinity after a magisterial probe ordered by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Home Minister Satyender Jain said the fire department will intensify its drive against errant hotels across the city to prevent recurrence of Karol Bagh-like incident. “45 hotels have been inspected in Karol Bagh area, 30 were found to be violating rules and hence, safety certificates have been cancelled,” said Jain.
Persona International, Danish Residency, Hotel Mid Town, Sunrise Karol Bagh, MS Regency Hotel, Hotel Apra Inn, GH TJS Royal, Rockwell Plaza, Kyron, Sun Star Height, JP Residency, Hotel Metro Continental, Hotel Royal Garden, Arihant Inn, Hotel Krishna Palace, Hotel Majastic are a few of the violators.
According to Jain, municipal corporations and police have been asked to seal these establishments.
As per the observations submitted to the Delhi Government, a large number of deaths at Hotel Arpit Palace occurred due to suffocation which happens due to presence of carbon monoxide and other toxic and poisonous gases.
Hotel Arpit Palace inferno has taken lives of 17 occupants of the hotel.
As per the Delhi Government audit report on February 13, 23 hotels were inspected by the fire department and of this, 13 were found violating fire safety norms.
Next day, 17 hotels out of 22 were found to have violated rules. We have written to municipal corporation and police to take steps to seal them, he said.
The Minister said that in its report the fire department said that hotel management used carpets and covered walls with wooden material, which fuelled the flames. The Minister added that a magisterial inquiry is underway in the matter.