Wankhede receives NOC from fire dept to stage WC matches

Mumbai, Feb 22 (PTI) The revamped Wankhede stadium, whichrecently came under the scanner of the fire department for notfollowing safety norms, today received a no objectioncertificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Fire Brigade to stage WorldCup matches.

"We have given NOC to the stadium. They have fulfilledall the fire safety norms at the stadium," deputy chief fireofficer A N Shinde, who inspected the stadium with his team,told PTI here.

A team of fire officials conducted an inspection at thestadium this morning to check the fire safety mechanism. Thiswas the fourth inspection conducted by the department.

"We have given them the compliance certificate. They canhost matches. The stadium is safe and secure," Shinde said.

Last week, the Mumbai Fire Brigade had expresseddispleasure over the fire safety system at the newly renovatedstadium, which will hosts three World Cup matches includingthe final on April 2.

The department had found irregularities at the stadiumincluding sprinklers at the stands and ventilation problem inthe basement. The fire officials had given the lapses inwriting to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

Among the mandatory fire apparatus are water hydrants,internal riser system for the stands, no-smoking indicators,fire alarms, extinguishers and others.

"The stadium had been issued an Occupation Certificatelong back. So there was no question of withholding it. We hadto verify whether the changes made at the stadium are similarwith the existing fire safety norms and then issue an NOC,"Shinde said.

NOC is provided when the structure is adequatelyventilated and has all the necessary preventive measures andsystems in place, he said. (More) PTI KKP VKV ATK