Malviya Nagar tragedy puts spotlight on Delhi govt's B&B policy rules

A day after the fatal fire in Malviya Nagar claimed 21 lives, including 12 foreigners, the Delhi government's bed and breakfast B&B policy is under scrutiny.

According to experts, the policy, officially known as 'National Capital Territory of Delhi (Incredible India) Bed and Breakfast Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2007'-- which started during the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi in 2010 -- has serious loopholes regarding safety norms.

"When the B&B scheme was started in Delhi during the Commonwealth Games, there was a provision that in the residential building, the owner had to live in the building, which was later removed from the scheme. In this accident, we see that the owner was not living with them," Rajesh Pawar, former Delhi chief fire officer, told PTI videos.

Panwar said in the policy, there was no provision for fire extinguishers or fire safety.

"There was only one point that heat and smoke detectors should be desirable rather than mandatory, making installation entirely at the owner's discretion. I think heat and smoke detectors should be mandatory in the policy."

He said the initial phase of the scheme included a provision to attach an approved building plan from the local authorities.

"But after almost six months, the provision was removed. If this provision had remained, this establishment would never have been able to open in such a congested area. And even at that time, it was limited to six rooms and 18 occupancies for 18 people," he said.

Former fire chief Panwar said, "Delhi Fire Service has very good experience in firefighting; they fulfil their responsibilities very well. In firefighting, I do not consider anyone ahead of DFS. I have worked here and seen my personnel and officers."

The Delhi government said the existing policy is being withdrawn and a new policy is being formulated for which a draft has been put in the public domain.

"When we were commercialising this scheme then, the provision of fire NOC should have been made mandatory," he said.