Political heat melts SMC’s fire safety drive as sealed food zone reopens

After major authoritative lapses surfaced in Rajkot’s TRP Game Zone tragedy, Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) fire department has continued its vigilance drive for the sixth consecutive day, sealing over 600 properties today, including five gyms, eight textile markets, and 11 hotels, for violating fire safety norms.

The fire department sealed the Swadeshi Market, housing 102 shops, in Surat’s Limbayat zone. Alongside, Sai Complex in Dindoli, Nathuram Tower with 130 shops in Udhana, Richmond Plaza with 50 shops, three hotels, and a Dhiraj Sons store in Vesu were also sealed.

The SMC’s sealing drive further extended to Udhana’s Magdalla road, where 82 shops, six restaurants, and seven hotels in Safal Square were sealed. In the Central zone, two AC dormitories, Fitway Gym, Gujju Restaurant, and Block B of LB Tower with 60 shops were among the sealed properties.

Action was also taken against Astha Medicare in the Varachha area. Moreover, Mansarovar Shopping Center, Srushti General Hospital, Stallone Gym, GR Gym, and Saviour Fitness Gym were in the Katargam area.

Various units and institutions, including a hotel, were also sealed in Rander.

SMC has issued stringent warnings of sealing against units violating the fire safety norms.

Surat food zone skips SMC’s scanner; authorities powerless?

A food zone sealed by the SMC on May 30 in Rander is reported to have been operating again, raising serious questions regarding the authority’s operational morality.

Several allegations pointed towards the owner of the La Pentola Food Zone, a BJP corporator.

The SMC also issued a press release stating that the food zone had been sealed but illicitly reopened later. This incident has raised several outcries alleging the corporation’s patronage towards the leader.