Hyderabad: Telangana Fire Services Director General Nagi Reddy has called for a coordinated, cross-departmental approach to tackle fire safety challenges in Hyderabad, particularly in ageing buildings and commercial establishments.
At a review meeting held on Friday evening at Panwar Hall in the GHMC headquarters, Nagi Reddy emphasised the need for preventive action and inter-agency cooperation to avert fire disasters. His remarks came in the wake of a recent fire at Gulzar House, which triggered widespread public concern.
Officials from GHMC, the electricity department, town planning, and fire safety wings were in attendance, including GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan and Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty. The DG urged departments to proactively issue fire safety advisories, especially for structures lacking modern safeguards.
Highlighting the risks posed by older structures, he asked for department-wise action plans and recommended that commercial buildings be subject to stricter scrutiny. He called for early awareness among building owners, particularly those in business complexes, warning that violations would invite legal action.
Electricity officials were directed to educate electricians and linemen on safe installation practices and to run phased awareness programmes for electrical shop owners. Nagi Reddy also urged town planning authorities to withhold trade licences and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) unless basic fire safety measures were in place.
He proposed a monthly fire safety awareness campaign and assured that recommendations would be forwarded to the state government.
GHMC Commissioner Karnan announced plans for a structural audit of dilapidated buildings and stressed that fire safety would be prioritised in new construction approvals. District Collector Anudeep highlighted gaps in emergency communication, urging timely updates to revenue departments so that hospitals and ambulances could be mobilised without delay.
He further stated that all buildings under 15 metres including hospitals, shopping malls, offices, hotels, lodges, and storage facilities must install fire alarms and smoke detectors as mandatory safety measures.
Senior town planning officials, DISCOM engineers, and fire and transmission authorities also shared their inputs during the meeting.
