BBMP under fire over Carlton Towers

The hapless Assistant Director of Town Planning Krishna Kumar, who submitted an affidavit in High Court regarding the BBMP’s plans to ensure better fire safety mechanism, was the target of derision from a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna.

To recall, the court had earlier directed the BBMP to evolve a mechanism to prevent fire mishaps in high-rise buildings, during the hearing of a PIL filed by Beyond Carlton Trust, a group formed by those affected by fire at Carlton Towers that had killed nine people and injured several others. The Bench also asked the BBMP to ensure that the fire fighting equipment in high rises were kept in working condition.

On Monday, the BBMP submitted an affidavit which stated that it would renew licences for each building every six months and also seek a report about the building and safety procedures once every five years.

That ticked off Chief Justice Khehar who said: “It has been three months since we told you to file an affidavit and you come back with a useless affidavit. You are wasting the court’s time and yet you collect your salary. This is irresponsible action from the BBMP. It has been 18 months since nine people died and you shut your eyes.”