Fire Safety Drive: 32 of 77 Hyderabad Pubs Found Without Valid NOCs
Nearly four of every ten pubs inspected in Hyderabad by the Telangana Fire Services have been found operating without valid Fire No Objection Certificates (Fire NOCs) or with fire safety deficiencies. This was revealed during an enforcement drive that covered 77 pubs across the city.
Of the 77 establishments inspected, 45 were found to have valid Fire NOCs. The remaining 32 were non-compliant, and notices have been issued to them. The notices require the managements to rectify the deficiencies within a specified time frame, failing which the department will initiate legal action under the Telangana Fire Service Act.
A Fire NOC is a certificate issued by the Fire Services Department confirming that an establishment complies with the required fire safety norms. Such certificates are typically mandatory for places of public assembly, including pubs and entertainment venues, and are subject to periodic renewal. Operating without a valid NOC can leave an establishment legally exposed and potentially endangering public safety.
The inspections were followed by a fire safety awareness programme held on Wednesday at the Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI) in Gachibowli. The programme was aimed at pub managements and their representatives, with officials explaining the importance of adhering to fire safety standards and being prepared for emergencies.
Director General of Fire Services Vikram Singh Mann addressed the attendees and stressed that fire safety could not be compromised at public entertainment venues. He emphasised that preventing accidents, being prepared for emergencies and complying with regulations were essential to protecting lives and property. His remarks underscored the department's position that non-compliance would be dealt with strictly.
The Telangana Fire Services said it would continue with awareness programmes, inspections and enforcement measures to strengthen fire safety standards at public assembly occupancies across the State. The current drive is part of a broader effort to ensure that businesses operating in such venues meet the required safety benchmarks, reducing the risk of fire-related incidents in crowded urban spaces.
