Surat gym-spa fire: Action against occupier, not builder?
Updated: Nov 9th, 2024
The gym-spa fire incident in Surat that took two lives in Surat has brought renewed attention to illegal construction and fire safety in the buildings of the city.
In 2019, a similar incident in Takshashila Arcade saw both builder and occupier sharing responsibility for the tragedy.
However, the scales seem to be different this time with Shiv Puja Complex as the Surat Municipal Corporation is in action against the occupier only, allegedly shielding the builder from accountability.
Two young women from Sikkim were killed when a fire broke out at M/s Gym Eleven and ALF Hair Beauty Lounge on the third floor of Shiv Puja Complex on Citylight Road late on Wednesday evening due to a short circuit.
The city development department of the municipal corporation sent the report of the incident to the police on Friday morning. According to that, the plan of this complex was approved in 2002, and basic utilities (BU) permissions were given in two phases in 2004.
According to the impact fee rules of 2011, the property was also legalised by paying ₹34 lakh and ₹24 lakh respectively.
However, illegal rooms were constructed after BU permission. In August, the Surat Fire Brigade issued a notice for the lack of fire NOC in this mall, but to date, no fire permission has been obtained. The gym-spa were allegedly running without any ventilations in the facility.
The property belongs to a builder named Anil Rungta. According to sources, there has been a rigorous effort to save Rungta in the matter due to his alleged political influence.
Discussions have gained momentum in Surat that the big names from the ruling party, BJP, are allegedly trying to shield the owner-builder of the Shiv Puja Complex.
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