National Fire Service College in Nagpur Without Fire NOC for Years
Nagpur, India: The National Fire Service College (NFSC) in Nagpur, India’s only institute for training fire officers, is operating without a Fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC), which is a mandatory requirement for all buildings. The college, which cost around ₹260 crore to build and meets international standards, has been functioning without this basic certification for over a decade since its construction began.
The NFSC, which trains fire officers in fire safety regulations and procedures, ironically has not obtained the Fire NOC, raising concerns about its own compliance with the rules. April 14, which is observed as Fire Service Day in memory of firefighters who lost their lives in a 1944 tragedy in Mumbai, has drawn attention to the NFSC’s failure to address this issue. Experts have suggested that the college should use this day to resolve the matter and ensure it follows the necessary safety protocols.
The municipal fire department has previously issued reminders to the NFSC regarding the need for a Fire NOC. However, there has been no significant action taken by the college so far to obtain it. Attempts to reach officials from both the NFSC and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for comment were unsuccessful due to the holiday.
Key Facts:
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The NFSC campus covers 45 acres, though construction has only been completed on 15 acres.
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Some training modules at the college are still under development.
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Construction of the college began in 2010, and the BE in Fire Engineering course commenced in 2015.
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The college was officially inaugurated on January 2, 2022.
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Construction was managed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), but CPWD is no longer responsible for the college’s maintenance.
As part of National Fire Service Week (April 14-20), multiple programmes are held across the country, emphasising the importance of fire safety and compliance with regulations. Fire Service Day, commemorating the 66 firefighters who died in the Mumbai explosion in 1944, highlights the critical role fire safety plays in saving lives.
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