Odisha Issues Fire Safety Notices to 3,404 Institutions

Bhubaneswar, October 16: Odisha’s Fire and Emergency Services Department has issued notices to 3,404 institutions for inadequate fire safety arrangements or deficiencies in their documents during a month-long statewide inspection drive.

Launched on September 15 under the ‘Surakshit Odisha, Viksit Odisha’ campaign, the drive covered 4,605 locations, including residential complexes, schools, hospitals, commercial establishments and industrial units, Fire Services IG Umashankar Dash said.

Around 200 institutions were also served special notices for violating approved building plans, with legal proceedings initiated against them.

To improve emergency response, the department is developing a 3D digital database containing building entry and exit points, water sources and firefighting equipment locations. A mobile application is also planned to help people verify fire safety certificates issued to hotels, hospitals, malls and large buildings.

Additionally, a 24-hour control room has been established at the department’s command centre in Bhubaneswar to strengthen fire safety management and public services.