Chief Secretary Directs Strengthening of Fire Safety Across Odisha Hospitals

Bhubaneswar:17/3/26:In the wake of yesterday’s fire incident at Shri Ramachandra Bhanj (SCB) Medical College and Hospital, Chief Secretary Anu Garg today chaired a high-level review meeting and issued strict directives to enhance fire safety measures in all state-run hospitals, medical colleges, and government offices. She emphasised that preparedness and constant vigilance must remain top priorities.

The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Director General of Fire Services Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi, and Principal Secretaries/Commissioners of the Public Works, Health & Family Welfare, and School & Mass Education Departments. District Collectors joined through virtual mode.

As per the decisions taken, the Special Secretary of the Health Department has been appointed as the Nodal Officer to monitor fire safety compliance in government medical colleges and hospitals across the state. Officials were directed to ensure all fire-extinguishing equipment remains fully functional and never switched off. Regular inspection of equipment, mandatory third-party audits wherever required, and more frequent fire-safety mock drills at the district level were made compulsory.

The Chief Secretary also stressed that building plan approvals for all government structures must strictly factor in fire safety norms from the very beginning of construction.

Addressing the officers, Garg said, “We give utmost importance to industrial, infrastructure and development projects, but fire safety deserves the same or even greater priority because human lives are the most precious asset. Every department, the Fire Services, and District Collectors must treat preparedness as a non-negotiable priority and stay alert round the clock against any possible disaster.”