The Delhi High Court has issued directives for swift action regarding fire safety measures in schools under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The court has instructed the Department of Delhi Fire Services (DFS) to expedite the process of granting no-objection certificates (NOC) for 92 schools, as requested by the MCD.
Additionally, the court has urged the MCD to expedite pending civil and electrical work in its schools. It has emphasized the need to address concerns over two school buildings deemed hazardous, directing the MCD to either evacuate, reconstruct, or reinforce these structures promptly.
The court’s directives came during a hearing of a public interest litigation filed by advocate Kush Kalra, highlighting the non-compliance of many schools, both public and private, with fire safety and building stability regulations. The MCD provided a status report indicating that out of 1,185 schools, NOCs were issued to 705, with 92 awaiting approval, and civil works pending in 119 schools, and both civil and electrical works pending in 116 schools.
The court has instructed the MCD to expedite the pending civil and electrical works in the mentioned schools and the DFS to fast-track the NOC process. It has also addressed concerns regarding narrow approach roads to 101 schools, directing the MCD to explore options such as widening roads, relocating schools, or implementing on-site fire safety measures.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on May 2. Kalra’s plea, filed in 2017, asserts non-compliance with fire safety and stability certifications mandated by the Supreme Court in 2009. The plea holds various authorities, including the Delhi government, responsible for negligence in enforcing safety norms in schools.
The court had previously criticized the Delhi government for its inaction regarding schools’ inadequate fire safety measures, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to ensure structural safety and fire preparedness in schools. It directed both the Delhi government and the MCD to issue notices to non-compliant schools under their jurisdiction to rectify safety deficiencies promptly.
