CWG: Special drives to check fire safety measures in hotels

In the run up to the Commonwealth Games, the Delhi Fire Services is planning to launch special drives to check fire fighting measures in city hotels.

According to officials, inspectors of the department would visit each hotel in the city to ensure that they adhere to all guidelines to control and avoid incidents of fire.

"We have prepared a blue print. We shall be beginning with five star hotels and soon come down to luxury hotels. Our plan is to make sure that all hotels have necessary fire safety equipments and facilities," a senior Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said.

The department will also be visiting hotels in and around New Delhi railway station area.

"We have already issued notices to three leading hotels of the city after regular inspection of their premises," the
official said, adding that "we shall be conducting same checks for hotels in Paharganj and Karol Bagh area mainly besides
those near Inter State Bus Terminals (ISBTs)."

The drive is focused on ensuring that hotels have necessary equipments to douse fire, alternative escape route,
water storage tanks, working pumps and other devices to deal with contingencies.

"There will thousands of visitors who would be coming to the capital during the mega sporting event. The exercise is aimed at ensuring safe lodging to them. The drive will be completed by September 15," he said.

The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held here between October 3-14.

Hotels and their associations have welcomed the move by the Fire department.

"Most of our hotels follow fire safety measures. We ask our associates to fulfil all criteria to ensure safety of
guests," said Arun Gupta, General Secretary, Hotel Mahasangh, an umbrella body of 1,200 hotels in the national capital.