GUWAHATI, May 26 � Schools and hospitals � both meant for making human lives better � are the picture of potential deathtraps in Assam!
Hard to believe is the fact that more than 95 per cent Government schools and hospitals are operating without securing the requisite fire safety clearance in the State, thus endangering lives of thousands.
Worse, not even the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Assam Medical College and Hospital or the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, could be termed exceptions, forget about those located in backward areas.
Top fire service officials told The Assam Tribune that it is a must for hospitals like GMCH to have fire hydrant system installed, keeping in view the height and the floor area of the hospital building, which it has not fulfilled till date.
�Although the GMCH and the two other medical colleges are equipped with a number of fire extinguishers, they might not be enough in case of an inferno till the arrival of fire tenders at the spot. As the hydrant system is not installed as per the norms of the National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC), the NOC could not be issued,� a top fire official said.
If one goes by the official statistics available in regard to schools, only 655 of them, mostly private, have got the due clearance from State Fire Service Organization till date, exposing the appalling state of fire preparedness in institutions which are mushrooming like anything.
