Hyderabad civic body halts shop seizures for a month, orders fire safety drive

TelanganaHyderabadLatest
By HNH Web Desk
Hyderabad shop fire safety

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s civic task force HYDRAA has paused its shop seizure drive for one month, giving commercial establishments time to fix fire safety violations. The announcement came after Commissioner A.V. Ranganath held a joint meeting on Saturday with representatives from trade bodies, shop owners, and officials from GHMC, Fire Services, and the Electricity Department.

Several business associations had urged for more time. In response, HYDRAA allowed shops previously sealed for violations to reopen after owners submitted affidavits promising compliance. Commissioner Ranganath warned that inspections would resume after the deadline, and non-compliant shops would face strict action.

Hyderabad shop fire safety awareness drive launched

HYDRAA also launched a fire safety awareness campaign in high-risk markets including Begum Bazar, Troop Bazar, Madina Center, and the Old City. Teams from HYDRAA, GHMC, and Fire Services are drafting joint safety rules. Officials plan to distribute rulebooks and conduct meetings near key commercial zones.

Traders were asked to keep corridors and stairways clear for emergency exits. They must avoid stockpiling flammable items like plastic goods, cloth rolls, oil cans, tyres, acids, and foam. Officials showed videos of past fire incidents and explained common causes and prevention methods.

HYDRA urges traders not to use cellars as godowns

Commissioner Ranganath cautioned traders against turning cellar spaces into storage rooms. He cited the Nampally fire tragedy, where locked grills in a cellar led to five deaths. Instead, HYDRAA suggested using cellars for parking to reduce traffic and improve customer access.

Officials said that during inspections, they found hazardous goods stored in cellars, leading to several shop seizures. Staircases on upper floors can allow evacuation, but fires in sealed cellars trap people inside.

HYDRA fire safety checklist for traders

HYDRA listed key safety measures for all commercial spaces:

  • Install water sprinklers and smoke detectors.
  • Keep fire extinguishers in working condition.
  • Use certified electrical wiring and stay within load limits.
  • Set up gravel-lined fireproof chambers under supply panels.
  • Keep flammable goods away from wires and lighting.
  • Be extra cautious in mixed-use buildings with shops and homes.
  • Increase load capacity when installing ACs or charging points.
  • Ensure fire engines can reach areas like Madina and Begum Bazar.
  • Ban residential use and cooking in cellar spaces.

You might also like More from author