Patna, June 6 (IANS) In the aftermath of two major fire incidents — one at a hotel in Delhi and another at Prasad Hospital in Bihar — the Bihar Fire Services Department on Saturday launched a large-scale safety inspection drive across the state, with a special focus on hospitals and hotels.

According to Bihar Fire Services Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manoj Nat, nearly 70 hospitals and hotels in Patna were inspected over the past two days.

The inspection teams found major violations at five establishments — four hospitals and one hotel — which are now facing sealing proceedings.

The establishments identified include Kunal Hotel, Advance Patna Central Hospital, Arogyavardhan Hospital, Pinnacle Hospital, Shyam Trust Research Hospital, and Apex Hospital.

Officials indicated that significant deficiencies related to fire safety and regulatory compliance were detected during the inspections.

DIG Manoj Nat also said that shortcomings had been identified at Khan Global Studies.

He warned that if the institution fails to rectify the deficiencies within the stipulated timeframe, appropriate action could also be initiated against it.

He emphasised that the department would not tolerate any lapse that could endanger public safety and appealed to all commercial establishments, hospitals, educational institutions, and hotel operators to strictly follow prescribed fire safety norms.

According to officials, the ongoing enforcement drive has already prompted several establishments to address deficiencies voluntarily in order to avoid punitive action.

The inspection campaign is expected to continue in the coming days as authorities seek to strengthen fire preparedness across Bihar following the recent tragedies.

The move comes after a devastating fire at a hotel and restaurant in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar claimed 21 lives and left more than two dozen people injured.

The victims are reported to have included several foreign nationals.

Meanwhile, the fire at Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur has so far resulted in seven fatalities and 17 other injured individuals, raising serious concerns about fire safety compliance in healthcare facilities.

–IANS

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