GBA Directs Criminal Action Against Buildings Without Fire Safety Systems

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has directed officials to initiate criminal proceedings against owners of buildings that do not have mandatory fire safety systems. During a coordination meeting, Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao also issued directions on BWSSB worksite transparency, abandoned vehicle removal, road works, waste management, and other civic initiatives across the city.

Key Details:

• Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao instructed officials to conduct fire safety audits in vulnerable areas across GBA limits.

• Criminal cases will be initiated against owners of buildings that fail to install mandatory fire safety systems.

• Fire hydrants must be installed along newly white-topped roads in vulnerable locations and inspected every month.

• BWSSB has been directed to install project information name boards at all work sites and ensure timely, quality road restoration after road-cutting works.

• Abandoned vehicles issued sticker notices from July 10 must be removed within seven days after payment of the prescribed penalty. Vehicles remaining after the notice period will be towed by the Traffic Police.

• Officials were instructed to complete SIP-funded civil works on arterial and sub-arterial roads and begin asphalting in coordination with the Traffic Police.

• A month-long “Freedom from Waste” campaign will be held throughout August, with City Corporations, K-RIDE, Railways and BMRCL jointly clearing construction waste, debris, soil mounds and overgrown vegetation.

• Preparations for the campaign include identifying unused quarries, operational vehicles and workforce deployment.

• Officials were also directed to:

Expedite widening of Sampigehalli Main Road.

• Accelerate the street dog sterilisation programme.

• Constitute Town Vending Committees and issue new identity cards to street vendors.

• Continue clearing footpath encroachments.

• Make fire safety systems mandatory at K.R. Market and improve the vegetable vending area.

• Repair non-functional lifts at skywalks.