Vatva fire exposes gap in regulating fire safety for industrial units

Ahmedabad: The devastating fire at Jayashree Chemicals in Vatva GIDC Phase-4 on Friday brought forth the contentious issue of the need for fire no objection certificates (NOCs) from the civic body. Currently, it is not mandatory for industrial units within Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) areas or outside, but under the municipal limits, to obtain a fire NOC.
This exemption, a consequence of a state govt notification issued in July 2021, has left a regulatory gap, raising serious concerns about the safety preparedness of numerous industrial establishments. "The fire at Jayashree Chemicals took eight hours to control. Two people were severely injured in the incident too," said a senior Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) official.

Experts point out that a notification issued four years ago stripped the AMC of its authority to issue fire NOCs in urban industrial zones like Odhav and Naroda, including those within GIDCs like Vatva. Consequently, units operating in these areas, despite the inherent risks associated with industrial activities, are not legally bound to obtain fire safety clearances from the local civic body.
"While fire safety laws mandate the installation of fire suppression systems in such units, the absence of a mandatory NOC requirement means there is no consistent authority overseeing inspections and ensuring these systems are in place and functional," said a senior AMC official.
Sources reveal, "The state govt enacted the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act in 2013, amended it in 2014, created rules in 2016, and made regulatory amendments in 2018. Since its enactment, the Act was amended 12 times."
An official, speaking anonymously, said, "Under the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, only residential buildings up to 15 metres in height are exempt from fire NOCs. All commercial properties must obtain fire NOCs. Eight building categories must install fire safety equipment and obtain fire NOCs. A notification in July 2021 amended the Act, exempting urban industries from fire NOCs, but they must still install fire safety equipment."
He added, "In Jan 2021, the state govt issued a notification detailing the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act rules, specifying fire NOC requirements for each building category and appointing fire safety officers. All units had to obtain fire NOCs. Six months later, on July 8, 2021, another notification removed item 9 from the Jan 2021 notification, withdrawing the authority of corporations and municipalities to issue fire NOCs to industrial units, centralising the responsibility for issuing these certificates."
Retired deputy director of industrial safety and health, L K Dungarani, said, "The July 8, 2021 notification exempted industrial units from fire NOCs but not from installing fire equipment. Some major industries voluntarily install fire safety equipment, but others do not, increasing fire risks. According to the law, industries involved in production are exempt from fire NOCs, while warehouses or godowns must obtain them."
**Box**
**Discrepancies in the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act**
1. According to the July 2021 notification, storage units in urban areas must obtain fire NOCs, but industrial units are not required to. On May 2, 2025, a fire at Jayashree Chemicals, a warehouse, required a fire NOC, but two other factories affected by the fire did not.
2. Since the July 2021 notification, over 5,000 factories in areas like Vatva, Odhav, Narol, and Naroda are not required to obtain fire NOCs. They must install fire safety equipment, but no authority monitors compliance.
3. To ensure prompt action on fire incidents in industrial units around Ahmedabad, the appointment of fire consultants is underway, and associations plan to establish private fire and emergency units.