Bhubaneswar, Sept. 15 (UDN): Odisha Fire Services has stepped up inspections across Bhubaneswar as part of a month-long drive to identify fire-safety violations and ensure compliance in buildings across the capital city.
The surprise inspections, which began on Tuesday, are covering a wide range of establishments, including shopping malls, commercial complexes, apartments, hospitals, offices, shops and educational institutions.
Officials are checking whether buildings have adequate firefighting equipment, valid fire safety certificates and other mandatory safety arrangements.
Focus on High-Rise Buildings
The inspection teams are also examining structural and safety requirements applicable to buildings, particularly those above 12 metres in height.
Key aspects being verified include underground water storage facilities, the number and accessibility of staircases, ground-level clearance and sufficient open space around buildings.
These provisions are considered crucial for enabling fire tenders and emergency personnel to reach buildings quickly during a fire or other emergency.
824 Buildings Declared Unsafe
According to Odisha Fire Services, 824 buildings have already been declared unsafe and served notices during 2026 for failing to meet prescribed safety requirements.
The department has indicated that action will continue against establishments found to be violating fire-safety norms during the ongoing inspection campaign.
The drive is being conducted under the “Safe Odisha, Developed Odisha” initiative and is scheduled to continue for one month.
Strengthening Fire Preparedness
The latest exercise comes amid an increased focus on fire preparedness and compliance in densely populated urban areas.
Officials are expected to pay particular attention to establishments where deficiencies in firefighting infrastructure or emergency access could pose risks to occupants.
The state’s fire-safety framework dates back to legislation introduced in 1993 and implemented in 2017. Fire Services verification and certification form part of the approval process followed by the concerned development authorities.
With the latest inspections, authorities are seeking to push building owners and establishments towards stricter adherence to safety requirements and improve emergency preparedness across Bhubaneswar.
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