All the residential pockets constructed and maintained by DDA are devoid of ample fire-fighting arrangements.
Firefighting system at Platinum Heights in Dwarka
The residents of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) buildings on Friday blamed the authorities for its indifference towards fire safety. All the residential pockets constructed and maintained by DDA are devoid of ample fire-fighting arrangements.
The situation is same in low-rise as well as high-rise DDA buildings. The RWAs and residents of low-rise buildings conceded that they are absolutely not aware of any fire-fighting arrangements in the societies.
However, the DDA has provided fire safety system in few of the high-rise buildings such as Atulya Apartments, Platinum Heights, Golden Heights and Diamond Heights. But, the residents of these buildings said that the provided fire safety equipments are in very bad shape.
The residents said that the DDA never did anything for the maintenance of fire safety system which they provided in these high-rises. They added that DDA lackadaisical approach is proved from the fact that it was their responsibility to maintain these equipments.
DD Khetrapal, a resident of Atulya Apartments, said, “Our society has firefighting system but that is of no use. The whole system is defunct. DDA is responsible for maintenance but they did not come for it even once. We have written letters to DDA regarding this but they are not serious.”
Madhu Sudan Prasad said, “The condition of fire fighting system is pathetic.You can see how all the equipments were rusted and broken. Even the fire extinguishers are not in condition. They did not check whether it is ok or not.This is certainly carelessness. Despite our repeated complaints, they never took any action.”
Even in the newly allotted societies, the fire-fighting system is in a bad state. The president of Samriddhi Apartments, Darshna Rani said, “People started living in the society in 2014. Since then, there is no maintenance of the firefighting system. Last week, DDA people turned up after our requests.”
Rani added, “They said in a demonstration that the pressure in the pipe can only reach till 7th floor. We informed them about the leakage in valves and other things. They noted it down and gave us assurance to work on it. But, we are doubtful that they will do so. In the meantime, we are worried what will happen in case of any fire.”
According to DDA officials, while planning the low-rise pockets, they had a provision of dedicated pipelines and water source point to control fire. But, RWAs are unaware of any such provisions.
President of DDA, Sector 12 Pocket 7, Ved Prakash said, “We are not aware of anything related to firefighting in the society. A couple of incidents happened in the society earlier like in flat number 124 and 180 in which Fire Brigade came and controlled the fire. But whatever, the awareness must be given to all the DDA pockets including low-rise and high-rise.”
On the subject, chief engineer, DDA, SN Singh said that he would take the subject of DDA pockets into consideration and do the needful.
