Fire NOCs: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar fare worst

AHMEDABAD: The cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are at high risk with nearly 70% of buildings requiring fire NOCs in Ahmedabad and more than 80% in the state capital remaining without valid fire NOC.
This awful situation persists even after repeated directions by the Gujarat high court in the last two decades and frequent drives undertaken by AMC to enforce building bylaws.
Of the total 27,322 concerned buildings in Ahmedabad, 18,912 do not have valid fire NOC.They either do not have NOCs or have not got the NOCs renewed. In Gandhinagar, there are 587 buildings without fire NOCs out of total 709 buildings.
While Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are faring the worst, in Rajkot, all buildings have fire NOCs. There are 103 buildings in Rajkot which require such no-objection certificates.
The state government submitted the details to the high court in response to the court’s query in a PIL seeking action in the fire tragedy that took place in Shrey Hospital, where eight Covid-19 patents died on August 6. Petitioner advocate Amit Panchal has also demanded proper implementation of fire safety laws and orders.
During the proceedings, the issue of fire NOCs came up. The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department told the high court that Amdavadis are apathetic when it comes to renewal of fire NOCs and inspections.