Ahmedabad: The concern of Fire NOC has been started after the fire department in an RTI reply stated that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has not been issued an NOC. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation were also issued notices for not having fire NOC to schools and hospitals.
An RTI seeking details of fire NOC at terminal 1,2,3 and other administrative buildings at the airport was filed by Y R Rathod on August 9, 2021. The application also sought certified copies of the fire NOCs. In reply, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer on September 6, 2021, said that no fire NOC had been issued to any of the airport buildings.
Talking to Mirror, Y R Rathod claimed, “Private buildings including hospitals and schools are being targeted in the name of fire NOC. However, when it comes to public buildings like the city airport the authorities seem to be reluctant to follow norms. Or there’s a possibility that only some of the public buildings have fire NOC.”
There is movement of more than 18,000 passengers and 120 flights at the airport. When Adani Group took over Ahmedabad airport on December 8, 2020, terminal 1 (domestic), terminal 2 (international), terminal 3 (cargo and Haj pilgrims) were operational. At present CISF and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) occupy terminal 4.
AMC’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer and public information officer Jayesh Kadhiya said, “Ahmedabad airport has its own fire department and so it does not need to take fire NOC. It does not come under our purview.”
However, Chief Fire Officer Rajesh Bhatt told Mirror, “NOC has been given to all the terminals of Ahmedabad airport.” When asked if the copies of NOC certificates issued to the airport buildings were available, he said, “I have the certificate for terminal 1. I will have to look for certificates issued to other terminals. Terminal-3 is closed and terminal-4 is used by CISF staff and so there is no need to issue fire NOC.”
Spokesperson of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, told Mirror, “All required approvals that have been duly received from AAI are available and being maintained by us. At Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, our teams are committed to prioritise the safety and security of passengers.”
