`No harassment, only precaution': HYDRAA to start fire safety inspection in Old Hyderabad in March

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has stepped up its fire safety awareness and enforcement drive in the Old City.

This move was prompted by growing fire risks during the summer.

HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath has warned that strict inspections will resume from the second week of March, and commercial establishments violating fire safety norms will be sealed without hesitation.

Addressing an awareness programme on fire accidents in the Old City along with Charminar MLA Mir Zulfeqar Ali, the Commissioner said negligence in following fire safety regulations has been the primary cause behind several recent fire mishaps in the city.

Strict inspections from March

Commissioner Ranganath recalled that inspections conducted in January had led to the sealing of nine shops for violating fire safety norms. Following requests from trade associations, HYDRAA granted a one-month grace period for compliance.

“Summer is approaching, and fire can spread within 30 seconds. If precautions are taken, accidents can be prevented. All fire safety norms must be strictly followed,” he said.

He made it clear that inspections will be intensified from the second week of March, and any commercial complex or shop found flouting rules will face immediate sealing.

‘Not harassment, but precaution’

The Commissioner urged traders not to view inspections and enforcement as harassment. “This is not about troubling businesses. It is about ensuring safety. Business owners must think about their own safety as well as that of their valuable customers,” he said.

He appealed to trade bodies and citizens to report establishments that fail to comply with safety regulations, reiterating that public safety remains HYDRAA’s top priority.

Awareness through demonstrations

As part of the programme, officials screened videos of past fire accidents and rescue operations, highlighting common causes of fire mishaps and preventive measures.

The session aimed to sensitise traders ahead of the summer season and the upcoming Ramzan business rush, when stock storage in commercial areas increases significantly.

Charminar MLA Mir Zulfeqar Ali stressed the need for proactive measures. “We must understand who is responsible for fire accidents. Instead of reacting after an incident, we should prevent it. During Ramzan, traders must take extra care while storing stock,” he advised.

Officials present

The programme was attended by HYDRAA Additional Director Varla Papayya, RFO Jayaprakash, DFOs Yagna Narayana and Venkanna, Electricity Department official A.V. Ramarao, City Planner Srinivas Reddy, and other officials from various departments.

HYDRAA reiterated that compliance with fire safety norms is mandatory and warned that there will be zero tolerance for violations as the city heads into the high-risk summer season.