Lack of awareness is a cause for concern

BANGALORE: Cauvery Bhavan on K G Road is a high-rise building in Bangalore. It comprises three blocks accommodating Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Karnataka Housing Board (KHB).Though there is a provision for entry of fire tenders during emergencies, no one regulates parking of vehicles.The scene is worst on KHB premises. On any working day, one can find hundreds of vehicles parked haphazardly. No fire tender can enter the premises if there is any eventuality. However, an Assistant Executive Engineer of KHB claims that these vehicles can be taken out of the premises to make a way for fire tenders. “All vehicles belong to the KHB. So, the drivers of those vehicles can take the vehicles out in case of an emergency,” said Syed Asgar, assistant executive engineer, KHB.If the rusted and outdated fire extinguishers are anything to go by, one can imagine the callousness of authorities concerned on the safety of employees. There are three fire extinguishers on the 8th floor of KHB building and two on the seventh floor and three on the sixth floor. These fire extinguishers have no details such as date of refilling, due date and the signature of certifying authority. “These are here for the last few years. I’ve  never seen the authorities replace with new ones,” said an employee of Sujala Jalanayanayana Yojane.On the ninth floor, buckets that are supposed to be filled with water are empty. An official of the KHB refused to comment on it stating that the building is fire safety compliant. “There are people to take care of those things,” said the official refusing to identify himself.When Syed Asgar was questioned about the outdated fire extinguishers, he said, “We are scouting for the supplier of fire extinguishers for the last few months. We will replace the old ones with new fire extinguishers as soon as renovation work is complete. We will invite bidders to supply fire extinguishers shortly.”The complex that houses KPTCL and other offices have no provision for emergency exits. Also, due to renovation work, the corridor of fifth floor is choked with almirahs and broken furniture. “I am not aware of an emergency exit. No one has informed me about it,” said an employee of KPTCL.