Gandhinagar has 2 lakh properties, but no full-time fire officer

Updated: May 30th, 2024


The lax approach by the authorities towards fire safety in the state has been talk of the town since the Rajkot game zone fire tragedy. In state capital Gandhinagar, the post of the fire officer has been vacant for two years now, with another official filling in with additional charge of the post.

Kaizad Mehernosh Dastoor, originally posted as divisional fire officer by Directorate of State Fire Prevention Services, handles the additional charge of Gandhinagar fire officer.

There has been an increase in the area of ​​Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (GMC) with the addition of one municipality and 18 villages. However, there has been a blatant disregard for fire safety norms in residential and commercial buildings, many of which operate without a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the department.

The expanded GMC has 2 lakh properties registered with it and taxes are collected from them by the corporation, as per data shared by GMC’s property tax department.

Moreover, Dastoor, who holds the additional charge is on leave, passing the charge to a sub fire officer, KJ Gadhvi. 

Why is Fire Officer’s post vacant?

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in January, 2022 raided Gandhinagar Fire and Emergency Services  Fire Officer Mahesh Mode and his associate Kamal Gadhvi for accepting bribes to clear the plans of two buildings in GIFT City and giving NOCs before inspection. Mode was detained for accepting a bribe of ₹5 lakh from Raisan village in Gandhinagar. He was also the Deputy Director of Gujarat State Fire Prevention Services.

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