Hyderabad: HYDRAA gives one-month relief on fire safety checks, allows shops to meet safety norms

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has announced a one-month pause on sealing shops for fire safety violations, opting instead to prioritise awareness and preparedness.

Officials said strict enforcement will resume after the grace period, and non-compliance will invite tough action.

The decision was taken at a coordination meeting chaired by HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, with shop owners, traders’ associations, and officials from HYDRAA, GHMC, the Fire Services, Police and Electricity departments.

During the one-month window, shop owners and commercial establishments have been asked to put in place all fire safety measures to prevent accidents. After the deadline, inspections will be intensified and violators will face stringent action, officials warned.

HYDRAA had recently conducted joint inspections with GHMC, Fire Services and Police in the wake of fire incidents and sealed nine shops for serious violations. Following representations from traders seeking time to comply, the meeting agreed to grant a temporary reprieve.

The sealed shops will be allowed to reopen after owners submit affidavits committing to compliance, with a clear warning that future lapses will not be condoned.

Commissioner Ranganath said HYDRAA will roll out extensive fire safety awareness programmes in key commercial areas such as the Old City, Begum Bazaar, Troop Bazaar and Madina Centre.

The agency, along with GHMC and Fire Services, is finalising standard fire safety guidelines that will be widely circulated through pamphlets and local meetings.

Demonstrations using videos of past fire accidents will be conducted to explain common causes and preventive steps. Shop owners will be sensitised on keeping corridors and stairways unobstructed to ensure quick evacuation during emergencies.

Traders were advised to avoid stocking large quantities of inflammable materials such as textiles, plastics, paints, oils, chemicals, acids, tyres, fibre products, foam and similar items. Proper storage and spacing near electrical fittings were stressed.

HYDRAA cautioned against converting cellars into godowns. While upper floors allow escape during fires, accidents in cellars can be fatal due to smoke and heat accumulation, officials noted.

Referring to the Nampally incident, the Commissioner said locked grills and overstocking in cellars had led to loss of lives. Recent inspections found hazardous storage in basements, prompting immediate sealing.

Cellars should be used only for parking, which would also help ease traffic congestion and improve customer convenience, the agency said.

Install automatic fire suppression systems such as water sprinklers, along with functional smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

Use quality electrical wiring and avoid exceeding sanctioned power loads to prevent short circuits.

Provide protective chambers with gravel beneath power supply panels to prevent sparks from spreading fires.

Keep flammable materials away from lights and electrical wiring.

Exercise extra caution in buildings with shops on lower floors and residences above.

Upgrade electrical capacity where air conditioners and charging points increase power consumption.

Ensure clear access routes for fire tenders in dense commercial areas like Madina and Begum Bazaar.

Do not allow families of watchmen to reside in cellars, and prohibit canteens or cooking facilities in basements.

Officials reiterated that the grace period is meant solely to improve safety and that enforcement will be uncompromising once inspections resume.