RS MPs seek steps to prevent Delhi-like fire accidents

Rajya Sabha MPs on Monday sought steps to prevent recurrence of fire accidents, a day after a devastating blaze in the city's Anaj Mandi area left 43 people dead.

As the House met for the day, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu mentioned the fire incident and said the loss of lives was very unfortunate and painful.

He said the lack of adequate safety measures was a matter of concern.

Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed souls.

BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs raised the matter through Zero Hour mentions in Rajya Sabha soon after the House had mourned the death of those killed in the accident.

Vijay Goel of the BJP said lessons from the past are yet to be learned and many areas in Delhi were sitting on a powder keg.

Thousands of illegal buildings house factories with practically no safety measures, he said.

A magisterial inquiry and Rs 10 lakh compensation will not help, he said, adding half of the buildings in Chandni Chowk area in old Delhi were dilapidated.

"We have to focus on how to prevent recurrence of such incidents," he said.

Goel complimented 150 firefighters and police for saving lives of more than 60 people in the Sunday fire.

Sanjay Singh of the AAP said those killed in the fire in the four-story building at Anaj Mandi were laborers who had come to earn a livelihood in the national capital.

The building, where more than a hundred workers were sleeping, had no ventilation, he said.

All authorities concerned - Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Government and DDA, should sit down and chalk out steps on safety, he said.