102 applications received, 55 cleared; inspections of remaining venues to resume MondayAhmedabad’s fire department has received 102 applications for Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from garba organisers, of which 55 have been cleared so far.
Inspections of the remaining venues are scheduled to resume on Monday, even as concerns grow over events being held without valid fire safety clearance.Chief Fire Officer Mithun Mistry of the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) said the department was still processing several applications.“Till Sunday, we had received 102 applications, of which 55 have been cleared, and the rest are under process. Some applications are for events being held for just one day, while others are for two days.
Inspections will resume on Monday. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that nearly 50% of Fire NOC applications have been rejected,” Mistry said.The department has identified several garba venues allegedly operating without valid Fire NOCs and issued notices to them. One such event was held at the AC Dome at Gopal Farm on Ahmedabad’s SP Ring Road, where a popular artist was performing.After part of the dome collapsed on Friday night, the venue was converted into an open-ground setup.
The event continued at Gopal Farm on Saturday without a valid Fire NOC, and no valid clearance had been granted for Sunday either. Despite the fire department’s notice, the event continued.Mistry said notices had been served to venues found operating without the required clearance. However, the responsibility for final enforcement action rests with the police.
Sources said the effectiveness of the fire department’s action ultimately depends on police enforcement. They alleged that notices and NOC requirements could remain mere formalities if police do not take action against venues continuing to host events without the necessary fire safety clearance.