The denials come against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny over fire preparedness in public facilities, triggered by a series of hospital and industrial fires earlier this year
Two major public institutions in the Capital — the Delhi Police Headquarters and Lok Nayak Hospital — have been denied fire safety certificate (FSC) renewals by the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) this month due to violations of prescribed fire safety norms. This is the first time the Delhi Police HQ has failed to secure a fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC), while Lok Nayak’s application has been rejected twice this year following inspections that uncovered multiple lapses.
The denials come against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny over fire preparedness in public facilities, triggered by a series of hospital and industrial fires earlier this year. As reported by major media outlets on 22 May, the DFS had also denied FSC renewals to Ambedkar Nagar Hospital, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, and two AIIMS blocks. Under the Delhi Fire Services Rules, 2010, public and commercial buildings are mandated to renew their fire clearance every three years. DFS officials noted that inspections were conducted meticulously and that both institutions were issued rectification notices. Once the deficiencies are addressed, fresh inspections can be requested.
The 17-storey twin-tower Delhi Police HQ, inaugurated in 2019 by Union home minister Amit Shah, is the force’s first purpose-built headquarters after years in rented premises. Located on an 8-acre plot near Connaught Place, it houses senior police leadership, control rooms, surveillance units and critical intelligence divisions. Following an FSC renewal request on 21 April, DFS officials conducted an inspection in May along with Delhi Police personnel. A detailed report submitted on 5 June identified at least five major deficiencies, most notably the replacement of mandatory fire check doors on the 17th floor with regular glass doors, and the removal of door closers — changes that compromised the lift lobby’s pressurisation system. “Fire check door has been replaced with normal glass door at the 17th floor and door closers also found removed… which make the pressurization ineffective,” the report stated. It also flagged the absence of a reception area and non-functional smoke detectors at several locations.
“These lapses directly affect the containment of smoke and fire in an emergency,” said a senior DFS official. “A high-rise like the police HQ must meet the highest standards — anything less is a risk to life and property.” In response, a Delhi Police spokesperson described the issues as “minor errors which are being rectified”, adding that corrective work was underway. “There’s no permanent denial. It’s only a report on what all needs to be fixed,” the officer said.
At Lok Nayak Hospital, one of Delhi’s busiest government-run facilities, the fire safety assessment was more damning. After being denied FSC renewal in April, a second application in May was also rejected following inspections that revealed continued and worsening deficiencies. DFS officials reported violations across several blocks — casualty OPD, surgical, ortho, and special wards — many posing “serious threats” to patient and staff safety. In particular, access roads for fire tenders were either obstructed or poorly marked, and a key staircase in the surgical block was found blocked by debris — a major hazard during evacuations.
