The Gujarat state government has brought into effect the regulations of the Gujarat Fire Prevention & Life Safety Act from February 22 making it mandatory across the state to levy a fine of Rs 50,000 on those who violate the regulations. Ironically, high-rise buildings in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and other municipal corporation areas, which do not have fire NOC or lack fire safety measures, do not fall within the ambit of the Act. This is because the Fire Safety Act exempts areas under municipal corporation limits.
The enactment of the law, interestingly, was the outcome of various litigations in Gujarat high court demanding proper implementation of building byelaws, including fire safety measures, in high-rise buildings. The mammoth task of reining in high-rises to follow fire safety norms, following the HC directions, triggered the enactment of the new law. But, it does not apply to the city limits, as per provisions of section 3 (1) of the Act.
At present, out of a total of 2,294 high-rises without fire NOC in the state, 1,140 are within AMC limits. The issue came up during the hearing of a contempt of court petition for non-implementation of the Fire Safety Act for the last three years. The petitioner’s lawyer raised the question on non-implementation of earlier court orders and the Gujarat Province Municipal Corporation Act with regard to these 1,140 buildings without fire NOC.
