Major safety violations uncovered at Rajkot game zone after tragic fire incident
Rajkot: The devastating fire that engulfed a gaming zone in Rajkot, claiming the lives of 28 individuals, including 9 children, has spotlighted serious lapses in safety standards at the establishment. Authorities revealed that the amusement center, known as TRP, was operating without the necessary no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance and had only one exit, raising concerns about its preparedness for emergencies.
The tragedy struck during a period of heightened footfall, with the gaming zone offering discounted tickets priced at just ₹99 for the weekend. While initial investigations suggest a possible short circuit as the cause of the fire, conclusive findings are pending a thorough probe.
Firefighters faced formidable challenges combating the blaze, compounded by the collapse of the temporary structure and adverse wind conditions. The intensity of the fire was such that smoke billowed several kilometers away, leaving victims' bodies charred beyond recognition. DNA samples have been collected to aid in identification.
The absence of requisite licenses and fire safety clearances from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation has drawn sharp criticism, with regulatory oversight coming under scrutiny in the aftermath of the tragedy. Rajkot Mayor Nayna Pedhadiya, overseeing rescue efforts at the scene, confirmed the lack of a fire NOC and pledged a thorough investigation into the regulatory lapses.
The facility's single emergency exit exacerbated the panic and difficulty in evacuating patrons, particularly as a collapse near the entrance impeded egress. Both the owner and manager of the TRP game zone have been detained for interrogation.
In response to the incident, the state director general of police has instructed law enforcement agencies to conduct comprehensive inspections of game zones across Gujarat, with directives to shut down any operation without proper fire safety permissions.
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Delhi govt likely to conduct trail for artificial rain in May to combat pollution: Minister Sirsa
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): The Delhi government is likely to conduct a trial for artificial rain in May as part of its efforts to tackle air pollution, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday.
The trial will be carried out in an area in outer Delhi, with the final site selection to be made by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and IIT Kanpur, he said.
Sirsa said the plan is part of a broader strategy to tackle pollution using multiple methods.
“This is a war against pollution and we are working on various measures, with artificial rain being one of them. Before implementing it on a large scale, we will try to conduct a trial in May when summer is at its peak,” he added.
He further said, “We have asked for detailed reports to determine whether the chemicals used in cloud seeding could have any harmful effects on human health or the environment."
Based on the findings, we will conduct a small-scale test and analyze water samples. If the trial is successful, we will expand the project across Delhi during periods of severe pollution, the environment minister said.
