A game zone in Rajkot, a nightclub in Goa, and now a bed-and-breakfast facility in New Delhi — three major fire mishaps in two years have snuffed out around 80 lives. In each case, it was a tragedy waiting to happen as regulatory apathy and criminal negligence went hand in hand. The blatant disregard for fire safety laws has shamed the nation. Twenty-one people, including 12 foreigners, died in a Delhi building that had permission for only six rooms but was allegedly operating around 25, including some in the basement. Moreover, the exit to the roof was blocked and cooking heaters were being used in several guest rooms. It’s unpardonable that the national capital, which has repeatedly witnessed destructive fires, still allows illegal guest houses, restaurants and commercial units to flourish in congested neighbourhoods.
According to officials, the owners of the establishment did not bother to obtain a no-objection certificate from the Delhi Fire Services. Every revelation emerging from the investigation points not only to individual wrongdoing but also to dereliction of duty. Additional floors were reportedly constructed despite planning violations. The authorities have now decided to seal illegal bed-and-breakfast units. Were they in deep slumber all this while? The pattern is painfully familiar; the script rarely changes. Safety norms are ignored, licences manipulated, inspections diluted and warnings forgotten — until another inferno sparks a public outrage. Then come arrests, probes and demolitions, along with promises of reform — which never see the light of day.
Most damning is the revelation that the Delhi High Court had directed the authorities five months ago to formulate an action plan on fire safety in hospitality establishments. Nothing meaningful followed. The consequences are now visible in the lives lost and the families ruined. The Delhi incident cannot remain another headline-grabbing disaster followed by symbolic crackdowns. Accountability must extend beyond hotel owners and managers to the officials who ignored violations, approved dubious licences or failed to act on warnings. Fire safety cannot remain on the back burner.
