Hyderabad is Tall Building Capital: Safety certification must, say experts with 850-plus high rises in pipeline
The FSAI Suraksha Index (FSI) is a voluntary, comprehensive safety rating system formulated, reviewed and implemented by the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI)
By - Kaniza Garari
File Photo
Hyderabad: Hyderabad has officially cemented its position as India’s Tall Building Capital, with an unprecedented 850-plus new tall buildings in the pipeline.
This rapid vertical growth has made safety standards paramount, with the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI) highlighting its Suraksha Index certification as the essential benchmark for ensuring life safety and resilience in the city’s changing skyline.
The need for mandatory safety codes
A tall skyline means that the life safety codes must be effectively implemented, said V Srinivas, national president of FSAI.
Srinivas said, “The emergence of 850-plus new tall buildings positions Hyderabad as the Tall Building Capital of India; Suraksha Index certification by FSAI becomes paramount for the safety of all.”
The 850 tall buildings in Hyderabad are in:
1) Kokapet and Neopolis areas: Buildings under construction include SAS Crown (currently the tallest), The Trilight, My Home 99, Poulomi Palazzo and Prestige Beverly Hills
2) Puppalaguda/Narsingi: Candeur Skyline, Srias Diamond Towers and Rajapushpa Provincia
3) Gachibowli, Hi-Tech City and Raidurgam: Phoenix Triton (commercial), Lanco Hills (Manikonda), My Home Bhooja and various Aparna, My Home and Prestige projects
4) Kollur/Tellapur/Osman Nagar: Anvita Ivana (Kollur), My Home Avali (Tellapur) and new 70-storey skyscrapers planned in Osman Nagar.
This changing landscape of Hyderabad was the focus of the National Seminar FESA 2025 where the fire, electrical security and automation for tall buildings was discussed in detail.
Discussion on safety
The seminar underscored the crucial importance of safety, resilience and future-ready infrastructure in high-rise development, with the FSAI’s Suraksha Index certification being specifically emphasised as a pivotal benchmark for enhancing safety across upcoming tall buildings.
Vikram Singh Mann, IPS, Director General, Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence, chief guest said, “Hyderabad’s fast-changing skyline demands uncompromising compliance with fire and life-safety norms at every stage from design to operations. Platforms like FESA 2025 enable regulators, developers and experts to share learnings, strengthen preparedness and ensure that high-rise growth is matched with robust emergency response capabilities.”
Expert deliberations and industry collaboration
The discussions focused on the following safety aspects for tall buildings:
- Fire Fighting & Life Safety Design
- Electrical Safety & Resilience in High-Rise Buildings
- Safety in Plumbing Systems
Panel discussions also tackled the challenges in the construction and maintenance of tall buildings, as well as the integration of life and fire safety into architectural and structural design.
What is the FSAI Suraksha Index?
The FSAI Suraksha Index (FSI) is a voluntary, comprehensive safety rating system formulated, reviewed and implemented by the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI).
“It is essentially a benchmarking model designed to evaluate and certify the Fire and Life Safety and Security quotient of a building. With the tall buildings coming up in the city, this FSI is important and we want more residential and commercial complexes to take it up,” said Manoj Wahi, president, FSAI Hyderabad Chapter.
