High court asks fire services DG for update on SCB projects

Cuttack: The Orissa high court has directed director general of fire & emergency services Sudhansu Sarangi to give within three weeks an update on the 76 projects undertaken for installation of fire-fighting systems in SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH).
The two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh issued the direction on Monday after Sarangi, while appearing through video conference verbally informed that funds have been already been provided to the public works department (PWD) for 47 projects and agreements have been signed with contractors to start work on 29 projects.
The HC was hearing a PIL filed by Maitree Sansad – a city based socio-cultural organisation in 2015 seeking fire safety measures at the premier medical institution. The bench directed for listing of the matter after three weeks to take stock of the progress.
According to the petition, the prevailing situation at the hospital with 2,600 bed capacity could lead to disastrous consequences with not enough fire safety measures.
After a survey of the hospital by a special team of Orissa Fire Services, it had asked the concerned authorities to install fire-resistant mechanisms in all departments. But the measures are yet to be fully implemented, the petition had alleged.
Implementation of the projects assume significance as fire-fighting systems have been made available only in eight to ten of the 87 buildings in SCBMCH.