Pune: 13 PGs, 7 Scrap Units Ordered Shut Over Fire Safety Violations

In Pune, the PMC Fire Brigade conducted a fire safety inspection drive on Sunday, ultimately ordering the shutdown of 13 PG accommodations and seven scrap material shops and godowns in Wadgaon Budruk, Narhe, and Dhayari. The inspections were directed by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, with key officers Ganesh Sonune, Prabhakar Umalkar, and Vishwajeet Waghmare leading the operation.

During the inspections, officials discovered numerous establishments storing significant quantities of flammable materials like plastics, paper, steel, iron scrap, and sacks without proper fire safety equipment and firefighting arrangements. Additionally, some businesses were operating illegally from rented properties without the necessary permissions.

The city-wide initiative followed inspections conducted over three days, where 36 establishments were checked, including 21 PGs, hostels, coaching classes, study centers, and fitness gyms in various areas. Notices were issued to those violating fire safety norms or lacking proper permissions, such as adherence to BDP zones, road width, firefighting systems, authorized electricity supply, drainage, and property tax.

On Friday, 11 PG hostels in Lohegaon and Nimbalkar Nagar were sealed due to inadequate fire safety measures and missing regulatory documents. Establishments found non-compliant with fire safety rules face strict consequences, including closure and legal action. The PMC emphasized that the inspection drive would persist across the city, targeting PGs, student accommodations, coaching classes, hospitals, and similar establishments.

Educational institutions were cautioned against recommending students to unauthorized or unsafe premises.