Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Offices Flout Fire Safety Norms They Enforce
In a glaring case of institutional hypocrisy, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) continues to pressure local industries to comply with stringent fire safety regulations while its own administrative offices operate without basic fire safety measures. An investigation has revealed that the civic body's four zonal offices and sixteen sub-zonal offices are functioning without valid fire no-objection certificates (NOCs), putting thousands of employees and daily visitors at significant risk.
Expired Equipment and Systemic Negligence
Instead of installing the mandatory hydrants and piping systems required by law, the MC's zonal offices rely on a handful of outdated fire extinguishers. During recent inspections, many extinguishers were found to have expired as far back as October 2025, rendering them useless in emergency situations. Rather than being strategically positioned for quick access, numerous units were discovered dumped in corners or abandoned on office floors.
The situation is even more dire in the sixteen sub-zonal offices, where basic firefighting tools are reportedly non-existent. "Hoax bomb threats have become routine recently, yet the authorities seem unable to handle even a minor fire incident," a source revealed, highlighting that many office doors remain locked with keys often unavailable, creating additional obstacles for emergency evacuation.
The Enforcement Paradox and Conflict of Interest
The fire safety crisis is exacerbated by a fundamental conflict of interest within the administrative structure. Although a separate fire directorate has been established, fire officials remain under the administrative and financial control of the MC commissioner. "We are helpless," one fire official admitted anonymously. "We still draw our salaries from the MC. How can we take action against the department that pays us?"
This structural flaw creates a troubling enforcement paradox where the same authority responsible for implementing fire safety regulations is exempt from following them. Critics point out that while the government uses fire NOCs as a revenue-generating tool for private complexes, the civic body avoids the very processes it mandates for the public.
Failed Tenders and Official Response
The lack of fire safety infrastructure isn't due to ignorance but rather failed execution. Previous attempts to install modern fire hydrant systems in MC buildings have reportedly stalled due to unsuccessful tendering processes. Ludhiana MC Assistant Commissioner Neeraj Jain acknowledged the lapses but insisted corrective measures are underway.
"I have already directed fire officials to replace or refill the extinguishers as required," Jain stated. "Regarding permanent safety arrangements, we floated tenders for hydrants and other systems, but the process has not yet been successful."
Until those tenders are successfully completed, the very department tasked with ensuring city-wide safety remains its most prominent violator. This situation raises critical questions about institutional accountability and public trust: if the MC cannot follow its own safety norms, how can it legitimately expect city residents and businesses to comply with the same regulations?
