100 commercial buildings get final 48-hour ultimatum over fire safety

Indore: Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) and district administration have intensified their crackdown on fire safety violations, placing approximately 100 commercial buildings (G+3) under a direct radar. In a stern final warning, officials have given building owners until April 8 to install mandatory fire safety equipment or face immediate sealing and punitive action thereafter.The move follows a comprehensive survey conducted by building officers and inspectors across high-footfall areas in all zones. Out of 337 buildings inspected so far, the survey revealed concerning gaps. 87 buildings were found to have no fire safety equipment at all. 19 buildings had systems installed, but they were non-functional. Sixty seven notices have already been served to owners and operators failing to meet standards."The 15-day notice period following our public announcement is drawing to a close. High-occupancy G+3 commercial buildings must have functional fire safety systems and conduct regular drills. We will begin strict enforcement, including sealing of premises and taking action under building bylaws, within the next two days," collector Shivam Verma said.IMC additional commissioner Prakhar Singh emphasized that the leniency period is over. "We have served notices with a deadline of April 8. Those who fail to arrange the necessary fire prevention measures will face the full force of the law during the crackdown thereafter," he warned.Parallel to the enforcement drive, IMC fire department and district administration are conducting large-scale drills to minimize fire risk during the summer season. Training sessions and live demonstrations were recently held at prominent locations, including collectorate and shopping malls in the city.The drills focus on safe evacuation routes, effective use of extinguishers, and maintaining composure during emergencies. The administration's primary objective remains "prevention first," urging citizens and business owners to prioritise safety to protect lives and property, Verma said.