Kolkata Building Housing TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Office Faces Evacuation Order

A building on Kolkata’s Camac Street, which houses the office of Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, has been ordered to evacuate its basement and two floors due to multiple fire safety violations.

The order was issued after a fire safety inspection by the fire department found several deficiencies, including an expired fire safety certificate, unauthorised structures obstructing access for fire engines, unapproved storage of LPG cylinders, and problems with fire alarms and exits.

According to officials, the fire department found no fire safety arrangements in the building’s basement during its inspection. A show-cause notice was subsequently issued to the building owner, who was given 48 hours to respond.

Since no response was received and the deadline passed, the fire department sent a notice to evacuate the basement, sixth and seventh floors of the building. The official warned that the absence of adequate fire safety measures in a basement could lead to a major disaster in the event of a blaze.

The department also found that the premises’ fire safety certificate had expired on August 10 and had not been renewed. In its notice, the fire department prohibited the use of the basement, sixth and seventh floors until the identified deficiencies are rectified and a valid fire safety certificate is obtained.

A joint team of police and fire department officials conducted a floor-by-floor inspection of the building on Monday. The inspection reportedly found inadequate firefighting arrangements on the seventh floor, the absence of a designated fire exit, and problems with the fire alarm system.

The action comes days after a clash on August 27 over the removal of a TMC billboard at the premises. Following the incident, authorities conducted joint police and fire safety inspections of the building.

The latest directive means the basement, sixth and seventh floors will remain out of use until the fire safety shortcomings are addressed and the necessary certification is secured.

This incident highlights the importance of fire safety measures in commercial buildings. The evacuation order is a precautionary measure to prevent any potential fire hazards.

The Trinamool Congress and the building owner have not commented on the issue yet. The fire department will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that the necessary fire safety measures are implemented.

In conclusion, the evacuation order issued to the building housing TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s office is a significant step towards ensuring fire safety in commercial buildings. It is essential for building owners and occupants to take fire safety measures seriously and comply with the regulations to prevent any potential disasters.