1 week ago
Kolkata Summons 29 Hotels Over Basic Fire Safety Violations
Fire officials inspected hotels in Kolkata and found that some did not have the basic equipment and arrangements needed to prevent fires.
They called 29 hotels to hearings to explain the problems.
Many hotels may be ordered to close if they cannot show that they are fixing the issues.
Officials also gave notices to 29 hotels in other districts.
At least 13 of those district hotels had already been emptied by Friday.
The city is checking many other places where people gather, including restaurants, cafes and bars.
Teams from the city corporation, fire department and CESC will inspect about 4,000 establishments.
Restaurant representatives say most businesses have followed the safety conditions set by the state.
The inspections followed a fire at a hotel in Mechua in April 2025.
The fire department summoned 29 Kolkata hotels for hearings after inspections found basic fire safety measures were missing.
Twenty-nine hotels in other districts also received notices, and authorities asked them to vacate their buildings.
At least 13 of the district hotels had been vacated by Friday, while many Kolkata hotels faced possible closure notices.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation identified 4,000 establishments for inspections by joint teams from the civic body, fire directorate and CESC.
Rooftop cafes, bars and restaurants are being rechecked after a hotel fire in Mechua in April 2025.
- Who
- The fire directorate, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, CESC and 58 hotels in Kolkata and other districts.
- What
- Authorities issued hearing and show-cause notices over missing or inadequate basic fire safety measures, with possible closures and building evacuations.
- Where
- Kolkata and hotels in other districts of the state, including a hotel in Mechua where a fire occurred.
- When
- Hearings for the 29 Kolkata hotels were scheduled through Friday; the wider inspections followed a hotel fire in April 2025.
- Why
- Inspections found fire-safety deficiencies, and authorities are auditing commercial buildings and places where people gather.
Safety Enforcement
Business Compliance Concerns
Closure notices
Safety Enforcement
Fire officials say establishments lacking basic safety measures must explain themselves and may receive closure notices if they cannot show that corrective work is underway.
Business Compliance Concerns
The National Restaurant Association of India says most establishments have complied with the safety conditions in the state’s standard operating procedure.
Terrace requirements
Safety Enforcement
Authorities are checking whether restaurants, bars and cafes comply with licensing and building-use conditions, including safety requirements.
Business Compliance Concerns
An association representative said the state’s procedure requiring open terrace space had generally been followed by establishments.
Key facts
- Kolkata hotels summoned
- 29 hotels were called to hearings.
- District hotels notified
- 29 hotels in various districts received hearing notices.
- District evacuations
- Authorities asked 29 district hotels to vacate their buildings; at least 13 had done so by Friday.
- Establishments targeted
- The Kolkata Municipal Corporation identified 4,000 establishments for inspection.
- Inspection agencies
- Joint teams include the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, fire directorate and CESC.
- Businesses under scrutiny
- Rooftop cafes, bars, restaurants, guest houses, hotels, places of assembly and mercantile establishments.
- Trigger for renewed checks
- A hotel fire in Mechua in April 2025 prompted the scrutiny of cafes and similar establishments.
Quotes
Fire directorate officer
An officer of the fire directorate discussing notices and hearings for hotels lacking fire safety measures.
“During our visits, we are serving show-cause notices to hotels that lack fire safety measures. They have to appear for a hearing, where most are being served closure notices because they are unable to show that they are working on installing the required fire safety measures.”
telegraphindia.com
National Restaurant Association of India member
An NRAI member commenting on compliance with the state safety procedure.
“I think most establishments have complied with the conditions laid down in the SOP.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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