SBCA, KMC in hot water

Court irked at suspension of emergency helpline, absence of emergency exits in buildings

KARACHI:

The Sindh Building Control Authority earned the Sindh High Court's ire on Friday over lack of emergency exits in buildings that causes a hazard when dealing with major fire incidents.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and comprising Justice Amjad Ali Sahito, directed the relevant authorities to restore the emergency 1299 helpline immediately.

The bench was hearing a plea pertaining to fire incidents and legislation for emergency exit ways in buildings - a hindrance that has led to increased fatalities in the past, as witnessed in the case of the Baldia factory fire in 2012, and in several other fire incidents since.

More recently, three labourers were burnt to death in a thread factory in Baldia Town on Tuesday. There was only one exit and entrance point and just one staircase in the multi-storey building, fire officials had pointed out.

Responding to the court's summons, the SBCA director-general appeared before the court. He informed the court that rules regarding emergency exit ways are listed in Sections 13 and 15 of the SBCA rules.

"How do the builders construct buildings without emergency exit ways when there are laws for it," inquired Justice Mazhar.

To this, the SBCA DG replied that the issue is the implementation of laws.

Hearing the DG's reply, the court remarked that the regulatory body should improve its system and coordinate with the civil defence authorities.

During the hearing, the petitioner informed the court that an emergency helpline 1299 had been set up to address major accidents but the helpline has now been deactivated.

Irked at the deactivation of helpline, Justice Mazhar directed the Karachi commissioner's representative to look into matters of public interest. Or else the court would suspend the payment of salaries of all of them (officials), warned Justice Mazhar.

Read: Committee set up to explore means of revenue generation for KMC

Why is the helpline 1299 dysfunctional, the court inquired of the commissioner's representative.

The IT service is not working in commissioner's office, replied the representative.

"How is Karachi commissioner working if the service is not working," inquired Justice Mazhar.

To this, the representative replied that all affairs in the commissioner's office are being addressed through paper work and physical documents.

As the hearing progressed the court expressed its displeasure at the delay in repairing of fire tenders.

"What kind of system is this that the fire spreads everywhere and people get stuck inside the buildings," asked Justice Mazhar.

The bench observed that people getting stuck in buildings indicates that the said buildings have been constructed illegally. Who is delaying the matter, inquired Justice Mazhar.

Following which, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's counsel informed the court that the KMC would be receiving 50 new fire tenders provided by the federal government soon.

Addressing the KMC's counsel, the bench observed that these affairs are priority. They should be addressed first, remarked the bench expressing annoyance over the delays.

The court sought a progress report on the repairing of fire tenders and directed the SBCA to define standard operating procedures after consultation with the chief fire fighter.

The court directed the authorities to restore the helpline 1299 and adjourned the hearing till March 17.

Pedestranisation of Burnes Road

Separately, the bench issued notices to the Sindh chief secretary and other parties over a plea challenging the pedestranisation of Burnes Road.

The petitioner's counsel contended that the locals of the area were facing extreme inconvenience due to the restriction of traffic on Burnes Road after 6pm.

"Food Street is for the amusement of the citizens. Do you want to close it as well," remarked Justice Mazhar. Where would people go if there is no place for them to enjoy, he asked.

The counsel argued that blocking the road was illegal as the conversion according to the laws is required before turning the road into a food street.

The court issued notices to Sindh chief secretary and other parties, seeking their replies by March 9.