Bhubaneswar: A day after the fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Tuesday directed authorities to strengthen fire safety mechanisms across government hospitals and offices in the state.
At a high-level review meeting, attended by senior officials including Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh and Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, along with principal secretaries of key departments and district collectors (virtually), the state government outlined a series of urgent measures to enhance preparedness.
As per decisions taken at the meeting, the Special Secretary of the Health Department has been designated as the nodal officer to oversee and coordinate fire safety-related information across all government medical colleges and hospitals.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for round-the-clock preparedness, directing that all fire extinguishing equipment must be kept functional at all times and not switched off. Regular maintenance of such equipment at prescribed intervals of five years, along with third-party audits wherever required, was also recommended to ensure operational efficiency.
District collectors have been instructed to intensify fire safety mock drills at the district level to improve emergency response capabilities.
The meeting further underscored the importance of incorporating fire safety norms in the approval of building plans, particularly for government infrastructure projects.
Highlighting the critical importance of safety, Garg said that while the state continues to focus on industrial and infrastructural growth, safeguarding human life must remain paramount. She urged all departments, fire services, and district administrations to remain vigilant and prioritize disaster preparedness at all times.
