When BBMP itself does not follow rules

BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is authorised to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) for a high-rise building before it is occupied. Verification of whether a building has the required fire safety equipment is the BBMP’s responsibility. What can be said if the BBMP itself starts constructing  a six-storey building on its premises and occupies three floors without even installing a single fire safety equipment?The BBMP is constructing a six-storey building behind its annexe. The construction is yet to be completed even after two years. However, various departments of the BBMP are functioning from this building for the last 18 months.As if it is not enough, there is not even a single fire extinguisher in this building to douse the fire if a fire breaks out accidentally. “We have no option other than occupying this building. Earlier, we used to function from the Council building. We had to move to this building when the election was held for the BBMP. We have to function from this building irrespective of whether it is under construction or not,” said a BBMP official on condition of anonymity.Around 200 employees, including engineers and doctors, are accommodated at three floors of this building. It is surprising to see that the BBMP is oblivious about the provisions for an emergency exit.Coming down heavily on the negligence of the authorities, Udayashankar, Opposition leader in  the BBMP Council,  said that the day is not far for the civic body to become history. “The BBMP has followed neither the building rules nor the fire safety norms,” he charged.There is nothing to revel about the fire safety norms at the annexe building also. It may be remembered here that the fire which broke out in the building on Saturday night.The authorities, who took extra care not only to install fire extinguishers but also ensure refilling or replacement near the Mayor’s office and accounts section, have not installed them in this building.When contacted, B G Raghavendra Prasad, Executive Engineer, BBMP, said a proposal to install fire safety equipment at the new building has been sent for approval. “We will install the equipment when the construction work is over,”  he said.

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