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Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Only 101 of Delhi's nearly 900 CGHS have fire NOC: DFS
Only 101 of the 898 cooperative group housing societies (CGHS) in Delhi — or barely one in nine — have a valid fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC), according to data from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS). Fire at an apartment building in Dwarka Sector 13 on June 10. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo) An additional 73 societies have applied for new licences or renewals, but these have been put on hold after inspections revealed major 'safety shortcomings', according to a DFS report on the matter. DFS officials said that despite repeated warnings, most societies have either failed to apply for fire safety clearance or allowed their certifications to lapse. The officials added that 'majority' of the remaining 724 societies have never applied for a fire safety certificate at all. Cooperative group housing societies (CGHS) are resident-run housing complexes developed under the cooperative model, where ownership and management are collectively handled by members and bodies such as resident welfare associations. According to the National Cooperative Database under the Union ministry of cooperation, Delhi has 898 functional CGHS. CGHS buildings are spread across the city, with a large concentration in southwest Delhi (317), east Delhi (227), and northwest Delhi (166), according to the database. 'Of the 898 registered CGHS in Delhi, only 101 have a fire NOC. Another 73 have applied but were found with major lapses during inspections — such as blocked staircases and exits, non-functional fire equipment, or inaccessible entrances,' said a senior fire official. More than two dozen criteria are checked during inspections which include exits, ventilation, fire safety equipment, working motor, electricity unit position, high-tension wire position, basement exits, lift system, staircases and terrace access etc. Atul Garg, chief of Delhi Fire Services, said the NOC is valid for five years, and buildings that are rejected during inspections can reapply after fixing the problems. From January to May 31 this year, only 26 fire safety certificates were issued to CGHS buildings while 22 applications were rejected, DFS data accessed by HT showed. In 2024, 53 FSCs were issued while 45 societies faced rejection. In 2023, just 22 NOCs were granted, while six applications were turned down. Fire officials said these multi-storey buildings — many of which are over 15 metres tall — are required to have valid fire NOCs under safety norms, yet most fall short of even basic compliance. DFS officials said most societies neglect even basic preparedness, such as installing and maintaining fire extinguishers or clearing escape routes. 'Many of these societies wait until there is a tragedy. That's when the panic starts and applications begin to come in,' said an official. The concern has grown after a fatal fire on June 10 in a CGHS building in Sector 13, Dwarka. A man, his daughter, and nephew died after jumping from their ninth-floor balcony to escape the flames. The fire department confirmed that the society's NOC had expired in 2016, and firefighting systems like hoses and extinguishers were missing or non-functional. Police said that the complex was built by a housing society over 25 years ago after which the upkeep and maintenance of the apartment complex is to be done by the RWA.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
2 dead in blaze at ‘illegal' e-rickshaw charging point in Delhi's Dilshad Colony
Two people died after a massive fire broke out at an 'illegal' e-rickshaw charging point inside a residential building in northeast Delhi's Dilshad Colony late Sunday night, fire and police officials said. According to Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the fire originated from two e-rickshaws and a bike near the charging station on the ground floor and rapidly spread to the upper floors. 'We received a call at 11.32pm about a battery rickshaw fire inside a house. Four fire tenders were dispatched to the spot in Kodi Colony, Dilshad Garden,' said Atul Garg, DFS Chief. DFS said the station was operating illegally without permits or alternative exits, and urged police action. To be sure, e-rickshaw charging stations operating in Delhi requires permission from MCD, who check all legal documents and inspect the equipment. The fire, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit in the charging equipment, was brought under control by 12.35am, officials said, adding that 4 fire tenders were pressed into service. 'The fire affected three vehicles and a charging point in a three-storey building. Most victims were rescued but two sustained severe burns and were rushed to GTB Hospital,' Garg added. The deceased were identified as Sashi Kumar, 25, who lived with his family in the building, and Ballu, 55, a homeless man resting on the ground floor. Both were declared brought dead at GTB Hospital, officials said. DCP (northeast) Ashish Mishra said, 'A woman was rescued and two men died. The ground floor was being used for e-rickshaw charging. Crime and FSL teams were called.' A case has been filed under BNS sections 106(1) and 287 for negligent conduct causing death and fire hazard. The incident is the fourth fire linked to e-rickshaw charging points in three weeks. In three recent incidents, fires at e-rickshaw charging points in Ghonda, Ram Nagar, and Vishvas Nagar injured 10 and killed two. A May 25 Ram Nagar blaze killed two sugarcane juice vendors and injured four others. On May 19, six, including two children, were hurt in Vishvas Nagar. All fires reportedly stemmed from short circuits and illegal setups, officials said.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Fire in technical room hits Pink Line services for 5 hrs
New Delhi: Delhi Metro's Pink Line (Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar) service was slowed down for nearly five hours on Monday after smoke was detected in a technical room in the Trilok Puri-Sanjay Lake metro station. A fire that was detected had damaged the signalling and automatic fare collection (AFC) systems. "Train services on line-7 (Pink Line) are being regulated on a small stretch since 11.20am on Monday due to smoke being detected in one of the technical rooms at Trilok Puri-Sanjay Lake metro station. This has caused disturbance to the signalling and AFC system at this station due to which trains are being regulated," Anuj Dayal, principal executive director of corporate communications at DMRC, said. He later said that normal service was restored around 4.25pm. Atul Garg, director of Delhi Fire Services, said that a fire broke out in the UPS panel in the UPS S&T Room at Trilokpuri station. Four fire tenders were dispatched to extinguish the fire. The situation was brought under control, and by 1.10pm, the smoke had cleared. No casualties were reported. During this period, the trains approaching Trilokpuri-Sanjay Lake station ran at a slower speed of 25 kmph as signalling was unavailable. "Train services on the rest of the line was normal.... Centralised announcements were made at frequent intervals in stations and inside trains. Fire service personnel cleared the smoke, and efforts were made to restore the signalling and AFC," Dayal said. In May last year, a minor fire broke out in a metro train on the blue line. However, DMRC stated there were no safety concerns, and service was normal. It was a case of pantograph flashing, which was regulated, and the same train safely continued its journey.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
30-yr-old Delhi man injured in Rohini building collapse
New Delhi A 30-year-old man was injured after a portion of a three-storey building collapsed in Rohini Sector 7 on Wednesday. Police said a total of three persons were inside the 'old' and 'weak' building when it collapsed, and that they have not filed a case yet. According to Delhi Fire Service, the incident took place around 4pm, following which they deployed four fire tenders. DFS chief Atul Garg said, 'The fire tenders reached by 4.20pm; the station officer told us it was a commercial building and some people were trapped under the debris. We informed the police to send JCBs. NDRF was also informed.' Police said teams used a JCB and drilling machine to get through the debris and pulled out all three persons. 'One of them sustained minor injuries. He works at a shop in the building inside. He was rushed to the hospital and is stable, they said. Police said they have initiated an inquiry against the building owner for negligence.
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Pakistan has nurtured terrorism": All-party delegation member Atul Garg
Kinshasa [Congo], May 26 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Atul Garg, who is part of the all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, stated that Pakistan has nurtured terrorism. He also added that our goverment has decided to let the world know our sufferings and the acts of Pakistan. Speaking to ANI, Atul Garg said, 'Pakistan has nurtured government decided to let the world know our sufferings and acts of terrorists attack us, our country has the right to defend and we have utilised that right...' Earlier on Sunday, the all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde met V Venkataraman, the Indian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The all-party delegation led by Shinde reached Kinshasa, Congo, on Sunday. Speaking to ANI, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, part of the same delegation, said, 'The message against terrorism is to be given to the entire world. The purpose of the delegation is that we have been suffering from terrorism for 4 decades, but now, we have the policy of zero tolerance towards it.' 'After Pahalgam, we waited for 15 days for Pakistan to take some action against terrorists, but they didn't, and then we targeted their terrorist camps on May 7,' he said. The delegation includes Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraj, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP ET Mohammed Basheer, BJP MP Atul Garg, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders. The multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
