No fire clearance yet for 8 C'Wealth Games venues

The Commonwealth Games (CWG) are just 37 days away, but half the venues are still to get a clearance certificate from the Delhi fire services.
“Sixteen venues have to be given fire clearances before the Games and for the practice sessions, but only eight have been cleared,” a senior official from Delhi fire services told DNA.

The fire department has given clearances to Thyagaraj stadium, Dr Karni Singh shooting range, Chhatrasal stadium, Ludlow Castle stadium, Talkatora stadium, two blocks of Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the resident block of Games village and the Yamuna Sports Complex.

Stadiums like Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Siri Fort Sports Complex and RK Khanna Tennis Complex are yet to get fire clearances.

The delay in clearances has been attributed to the delay in completion of work at venues. “Fire clearances should have been given at least few months ago. It will take another 10 days to clear the remaining venues,” the official said.

“Our officers are constantly inspecting sites and preparing daily reports,” the official said.
The fire department gives updates on fire safety plans to 10 officers who have recently been appointed by the Centre to assist the Games organising committee.

Apart from conducting fire safety drills, the fire department is installing sprinklers, fire pumps, hydrant systems and automatic detection systems
at the venues.