Basic safety ignored, but funds spent on pageantry: KTR on Gulzar Houz fire tragedy

LatestPoliticsTelangana
By HNH Web Desk
Gulzar Houz fire

Hyderabad: BRS working president K T Rama Rao lashed out at the Telangana government over the Gulzar House fire tragedy, accusing it of prioritising beauty pageants over basic public safety. He said lives could have been saved had ambulances carried oxygen cylinders and masks, and fire engines arrived equipped with water and breathing gear.

“The Charminar area has never seen a tragedy like this—17 from the Agarwal family dead. And all because fundamental infrastructure was ignored,” KTR said.

He blamed the lack of preparedness squarely on the state administration. “Firefighters didn’t have functional masks, so they couldn’t even enter the building. Ambulances came, but had no oxygen cylinders. Basic requirements missing.”

KTR said the victims’ families weren’t blaming anyone, but had raised valid questions. “They just want to ensure this never happens to anyone else. Eight children died in front of their parents. We can’t ignore this.”

Gulzar Houz fire

He took a swipe at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, pointing out that both the municipal and home portfolios rest with him. “This area has high population density. If a fire breaks out, even fire engines can’t reach. Why haven’t there been drills or training?”

KTR suggested that the same focus and budget placed on conducting beauty contests should be redirected towards upgrading emergency response. “We must invest in infrastructure that actually saves lives.”

He added that the CM should have visited the site. “Showing up matters. Five lakh compensation doesn’t begin to cover the loss. This family ran a business here for 125 years. The government should help them restart.”

KTR demanded ₹25 lakh compensation per bereaved family and said BRS would extend support as well. “I didn’t come here for politics. I came because no one else should feel this kind of pain. This demands a humane response, not a press release,” he said.

 

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