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Bombay HC Asks Maharashtra Govt to Submit Plan Regarding Implementation of Fire Safety Rules

Khushi Bajpai

Published on: 22 July2022 at 17:55 IST

To address fire safety and other potential artificial hazards in buildings in Mumbai, the Bombay High Court asked the State Government what their plan was regarding the implementation of fire safety rules, including the National Building Code provisions in the Development Control and Planning Regulations-2034 and the Integrated Development and Planning Regulations.

Reason behind to tackle fire safety and potential issues arise in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attack of 26/11, the State Government produced a draught of the Fire Safety Regulations in 2009 and solicited comments and complaints from the public. Following consideration of the suggestions, the Deputy Director of Urban Planning also delivered a report to the State Government.

Abha Singh, a lawyer from Mumbai, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)through Advocate Aditya Pratap, pointing out that the State Government has not yet published the final special regulations. Following a request for their response from Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice Makarand Karnik, the Deputy Director of Urban Planning for the BMC filed an affidavit.

The Bench instructed 11 to engage with experts and provide information for including the Development Control Regulations’ requirements in the National Building Code in April.

Nevertheless, the Special Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar stated in the hearing on Monday that the state government requires four months to make an appropriate conclusion.