Bhubaneswar Market Blaze Rekindles Critical Fire Safety Debate
A devastating fire that consumed a four-storeyed market complex in Lingipur, Bhubaneswar, late Monday night and raged into Tuesday has forcefully reignited a crucial discussion about fire safety compliance within the city's swiftly expanding urban framework. While firefighting teams battled the flames, urban safety specialists and civic activists immediately spotlighted systemic failures, asserting that numerous commercial establishments operate without the legally required fire safety certifications.
Alarming Data Reveals Widespread Non-Compliance
Official statistics from the state government's Agnishamaseva portal paint a concerning picture. The Bhubaneswar circle, serviced by 14 authorized fire stations or sections, has received a total of 1,936 applications for fire safety certificates across all building types—including schools, hospitals, apartments, and commercial spaces. Shockingly, only 873 certificates have been issued to date.
Even more startling is the distribution of these applications. Data indicates that only four of the 14 sections actually received applications, while the remaining ten sections, primarily located in peripheral or rural areas, recorded zero applications. This stark disparity has raised red flags among experts, suggesting a severe lack of awareness or enforcement in large parts of the urban zone.
Experts Decry Systemic Negligence
Urban planner Prakash Das emphasized that the Lingipur tragedy is symptomatic of a broader crisis. "This is not an isolated incident. Several malls, hospitals, and shopping complexes are functioning without mandatory fire clearance," Das stated. He pointed to the government's own data as evidence of how lightly fire safety is often taken. "The numbers speak volumes. There is an urgent need for comprehensive audits of all building categories, and stringent enforcement must follow," he urged.
Civic activist Ananta Pradhan echoed these concerns, highlighting specific deficiencies. "Many structures critically lack proper emergency exits and essential firefighting equipment like sprinklers and extinguishers. A thorough audit would expose these failures, and decisive action must be taken," Pradhan asserted.
Political Acknowledgment and Promise of Action
Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, who visited the fire-ravaged site in Lingipur, conceded to the systemic shortcomings. "This incident serves as a stark wake-up call. We will undertake extensive enforcement drives and public awareness campaigns to ensure fire safety compliance," Singh pledged, acknowledging the need for immediate corrective measures.
A Pattern of Fire Incidents in the City
The Lingipur market fire is unfortunately not an anomaly in recent Bhubaneswar history. In December of last year, a major blaze erupted at a rooftop restaurant in Satya Vihar along NH-16. Earlier, in February, a fire broke out on the second floor of an apartment building in Jharpada. This recurring pattern underscores the persistent and growing threat posed by inadequate fire safety protocols in the city's rapid urban development.
The collective call from experts, activists, and officials is clear: the time for complacency is over. Robust auditing, strict enforcement of existing regulations, and heightened public awareness are imperative to prevent future tragedies and safeguard Bhubaneswar's urban landscape.
