Recently, schools and hospitals were issued closure notices for not having fire NOC. Some of them were also sealed. However, concerns have been raised after the fire department in an RTI reply stated the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has not been issued an NOC.
An RTI seeking details of fire NOC at terminal 1,2,3 and other administrative buildings at the airport was filed by Y R Rathod on August 9, 2021. The application also sought certified copies of the fire NOCs. In reply, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer on September 6, 2021, said that no fire NOC had been issued to any of the airport buildings.
Y R Rathod claimed, “Private buildings including hospitals and schools are being targeted in the name of fire NOC. However, when it comes to public buildings like the city airport the authorities seem to be reluctant to follow norms. Or there’s a possibility that only some of the public buildings have fire NOC.”
There is movement of more than 18,000 passengers and 120 flights at the airport. When Adani Group took over Ahmedabad airport on December 8, 2020, terminal 1 (domestic), terminal 2 (international), terminal 3 (cargo and Haj pilgrims) were operational. At present CISF and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) occupy terminal 4.
AMC’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer and public information officer Jayesh Kadhiya said, “Ahmedabad airport has its own fire department and so it does not need to take fire NOC. It does not come under our purview.”
However, Chief Fire Officer Rajesh Bhatt said, “NOC has been given to all the terminals of Ahmedabad airport.” When asked if the copies of NOC certificates issued to the airport buildings were available, he said, “I have the certificate for terminal 1. I will have to look for certificates issued to other terminals. Terminal-3 is closed and terminal-4 is used by CISF staff and so there is no need to issue fire NOC.”
