Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has launched an aggressive citywide drive against buildings flouting fire-safety regulations, with the recent sealing of the Civil Lines premises housing the popular Nanking Restaurant serving as a warning to hundreds of defaulters facing similar action.

Determined to move beyond routine notices and warnings, the Fire and Emergency Services Department has announced that commercial establishments, hotels, restaurants and mixed-use buildings that continue to ignore fire-safety norms will now face stringent enforcement measures, including utility disconnections, sealing of premises and criminal prosecution.

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Chief Fire Officer Tushar Barahate said the department would initially target buildings against which orders for disconnection of electricity and water supply have already been issued. “If the required fire-safety measures are still not implemented, sealing action will be taken without hesitation,” he said.

The scale of the challenge is evident from official records. According to data compiled by the department, notices under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 have been issued to 2,447 buildings across Nagpur for failing to comply with mandatory fire-safety requirements.

Of these, as many as 1,718 structures have been declared unsafe and ordered to be vacated. Authorities have directed the disconnection of electricity and water supply in 1,276 cases, while police assistance has been sought in 317 instances to facilitate the eviction of occupants from hazardous premises. So far, 24 buildings have been sealed for persistent non-compliance.

Officials said commercial establishments account for a significant portion of the violations. Mixed-use buildings, where residential units operate alongside restaurants, offices and commercial activities, have emerged as a major concern due to the heightened risk to occupants during emergencies.

The Nanking building itself, officials noted, exemplified prolonged disregard for safety norms. Despite receiving repeated notices over nearly two years and facing directions from the High Court, the mandatory fire-safety measures were not implemented, ultimately leading to the sealing of the premises.

The civic administration now appears determined to ensure that such violations are no longer tolerated. Every identified violator will be served a notice and granted seven days to comply. Buildings posing an immediate threat to life and property will be prioritised for action.

The department has also intensified legal proceedings against defaulters. Criminal action has been initiated in 100 cases under Section 36 of the Act, while 52 cases have already reached the legal proceedings stage under Section 40.

The crackdown follows directions issued by Mayor Neeta Thakre, who instructed officials to adopt a tougher stance against fire-safety violators. Fire Committee Chairperson Rupali Thakur is closely monitoring the enforcement drive.

With over a thousand buildings already classified as unsafe and hundreds facing disconnection of utilities or legal action, civic authorities have made it clear that compliance with fire-safety norms is no longer a matter of choice but a legal obligation.