JNM Journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
The massive fire that engulfed a hotel in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, has shaken the entire nation. Following the death of 21 people in this tragedy, serious questions are now being raised regarding the fire safety infrastructure within Jammu city. This is particularly true for areas within the Old City, where hundreds of hotels and lodges operate within narrow alleys—a situation that could render relief and rescue operations extremely challenging in the event of a major disaster.
According to data from the Department of Tourism, a total of 301 hotels are registered in the Jammu district. Of these, 254 fall under the category of hotels and lodges. The most alarming fact is that approximately 218 of these hotels and lodges are situated in the Old City areas—specifically Jewel Chowk, Residency Road, Gummat, Prem Nagar, Talab Khatikan, Gujjar Nagar, and their vicinities—where the roads and alleys leading to them are extremely narrow.
Most of these establishments also house operational restaurants. In many instances, these restaurants are located in the basements or on the ground floors. Safety experts warn that in the event of a fire, such locations pose the highest risk, as smoke and flames can spread rapidly to the upper floors.
The most critical question remains: if a fire breaks out in one of these hotels, will the Fire Department’s vehicles be able to reach the scene? In many parts of the Old City, the alleys are so narrow that it is considered nearly impossible for large fire tenders to gain access. Under such circumstances, any delay in relief operations could prove fatal.
Compounding the gravity of the situation is the fact that the city’s fire hydrant system is almost entirely defunct. Reports indicate that 13 fire hydrants were installed across various parts of the Old City during the 1960s; however, currently, only one of these hydrants remains operational. Over time, due to road construction and maintenance activities, the majority of these hydrants have either been buried beneath the ground or rendered inoperable. Consequently, the arrangement for an immediate water supply to extinguish fires is also compromised in such situations.
According to fire safety standards, it is mandatory for every hotel and guest house to possess a storage tank with a minimum capacity of 40,000 liters, a terrace tank of 5,000 liters, portable fire extinguishers, and a hose reel system on every floor. However, questions regarding compliance with these standards at the ground level have been raised repeatedly.
Divisional Fire Officer Zaffar Iqbal states that while the department has adequate staff and fire tenders at its disposal, the challenge escalates manifold in the event of a fire breaking out in narrow lanes. Conversely, the Hotel and Lodge Association claims that fire-fighting equipment has been installed in most establishments, although some older hotels may still have deficiencies.
The fire tragedy in Delhi serves as a warning to the Jammu administration, hotel owners, and the concerned departments. The pertinent question is whether authorities will wait for a major disaster to strike, or if they will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the safety infrastructure in the hotels of the old city—making the necessary improvements—before it is too late. After all, ensuring safety beforehand is far more prudent than scrambling to prepare for rescue operations after a fire has already broken out.
