Ashiesh NX building, which drew intense scrutiny following a massive fire near Gandhi Gate in Mahal on May 30, is completely unauthorised, the Fire Department of the Municipal Corporation has shockingly revealed. It has come to light that this building possessed no permissions whatsoever from either the Fire Department or the Town Planning Department. The business had expanded by merging three separate buildings into one. Given the high probability of many similar structures existing across the city, a comprehensive list has been compiled. Phased action will be taken against them, Rupali Thakur, Chairman of the Fire and Electrical Committee, announced during a press conference on Wednesday.

 

Thakur added that stringent measures would be implemented to penalise such structures. During the briefing, Fire Department Officer Tushar Barahate stated that an FIR has been registered against Ashiesh NX. Because the building was erected illegally, the Fire Act does not technically apply to it. Property owners are legally mandated to submit an application to the department every year in January and July, certifying that their building’s fire safety systems are in proper working order. However, the owner of Ashiesh NX never submitted any such compliance application. Furthermore, it was noted during the press conference that it is the responsibility of the Town Planning Department and the respective Zone Office to prevent the unauthorised use of such structures; however, they too failed to execute their duties effectively. Barahate informed that notices have been served to more than 100 hotels and lawns across city that lack mandatory fire preventive systems. 

 

 

Fire Department does not possess direct enforcement powers over buildings with a height of 18 meters or less. However, the department is authorised to inspect whether the fire safety systems within such buildings are operational. For buildings exceeding a height of 18 meters, the department holds full enforcement and punitive authority.