Editorial: A tragedy waiting to happen
It has become customary in India to discuss efficacy of safety standards only when a major mishap occurs
The devastating fire that claimed the lives of 25 people at a nightclub in Goa was a tragedy waiting to happen. It is a classic case of how blatant violation of safety norms and callousness at all levels result in mishaps that could have been otherwise avoidable. The blaze at ‘Birch By Romeo Lane’, a nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora, was caused by electric firecrackers when the premises were crowded with revellers. Victims got trapped on the dance floor or in the kitchen due to a lack of escape routes, while narrow lanes blocked the entry of fire brigade vehicles. Among those killed were tourists from Delhi and migrant workers from several States. The owners of the nightclub have since fled the country, while the government has ordered an inquiry into the accident. It has become a disturbing customary practice in India to discuss the efficacy of safety standards only when a major mishap occurs. After a round of routine condemnations and constitution of expert committees to probe the cause, it is back to business as usual. Accountability is never fixed, and lessons are never learnt. The pointless deaths in such avoidable tragedies soon become cold statistics in official records. The Goa nightclub, located on an island, was operating without the mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department. It is baffling how the local officials tasked with enforcing safety rules chose to overlook the illegality. Such blatant disregard for fire safety norms was an open invitation to disaster.
A nightclub built on an island with just two entry points and decorated with inflammable materials is a virtual recipe for disaster. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has promised that his government would conduct an audit of clubs and other entertainment places where high footfall is expected. However, such an audit should be part of a year-round drill and should not be undertaken as a damage-control exercise after a mishap happens. The Goa mishap brought back memories of a similar tragedy that struck a game zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot in May last year, leaving 33 people dead. The indoor gaming facility was located in an illegal structure that neither had adequate fire-fighting equipment nor had obtained a no-objection certificate from the local fire department. The owners of the commercial establishment endangered the lives of people despite knowing that a blaze on the premises could cause deaths and injuries. The gaming and recreational zone was teeming with families enjoying a weekend outing when fire broke out. It is clear that no lessons have been learnt from recent or decades-old disasters. The Goa incident is yet another wake-up call. The nation can afford to ignore it only at its own peril. Zero tolerance for violations should be the way forward. A nationwide audit is the need of the hour to prompt authorities into action.
