Bengaluru's Kendriya Vihar apartment gets notice over renewal of NOC
BENGALURU: The Kendriya Vihar Apartments in Yelahanka, often in the spotlight during monsoon season for severe flooding, with residents forced to use boats, are once again making headlines.
This time, the Fire and Emergency Services Department has written to the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), requesting a power disconnection due to issues related to the renewal of the No Objection Certificate (NOC). The department has also given one week to comply with the notice to get a renewal.
However, the apartment residents' association say a proposal was sent in February to the department. It is alleged that even during the construction stage, no permission or clearance certificate was sought from the department by the association.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
7 days ago
- India Gazette
Passing out Parade held at Indian Naval Academy in Kerala's Ezhimala
New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): The Passing Out Parade (POP) of Spring Term 2025 was conducted at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, on Saturday, said a statement from the Ministry of Defence. 186 trainees, comprising Midshipmen of the 107th and 108th Indian Naval Academy Course, and the 38th Naval Orientation Courses (NOC) (Extended), and cadets of 39th NOC (Extended), 40th NOC (Regular) and 41st NOC (Coast Guard), graduated with flying colours, marking the culmination of their ab-initio training. The passing out trainees included cadets from four friendly foreign countries. Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command reviewed the parade. The event was attended by VAdm CR Praveen Nair, Commandant, INA, other senior officers and distinguished guests. The President's Gold Medal for standing first in the Indian Naval Academy B. Tech Course was awarded to Midshipman Nakul Saxena. Rajya Raksha Mantri Trophy for the Most Promising Cadet was awarded to Midshipman Kiondo Michael Florence, a trainee from Tanzania. This significant achievement by a foreign cadet stands testament to the inclusive and world-class training environment at the Indian Naval Academy. Midshipman Nithin S Nair was awarded the FOC-in-C (South) Trophy for standing first in the order of merit among ex NDA trainees while the CNS Gold Medal for best in Naval Orientation Course (Extended) and for the Naval Orientation Course (Regular) were awarded to Cadet Pawar Rohit Prakash and Cadet Rajnish Singh respectively. The Director General Coast Guard trophy was awarded to Cadet Kommu David. On this occasion, the Commandant's Champion Squadron Banner was awarded to Cheetah Squadron for displaying excellence across a wide spectrum of training activities including academic, service subjects, outdoor training, drill, sports, and extracurricular activities throughout the term. The FOCINC SNC complimented the trainees on parade for their impeccable turnout, good military bearing and smart drill. He congratulated the passing out trainees, medal winners and the Champion Squadron for their hard work and outstanding performance. The Reviewing Officer acknowledged the training faculty's efforts and the parents' support. He highlighted the importance of integrating foreign trainees, which not only strengthens international cooperation but also showcases India's Naval training excellence on the global stage. On the completion of the parade, FOCINC SNC, the Commandant, INA, and other dignitaries shipped the stripes of passing out trainees. They interacted with the proud families who had gathered to witness the successful culmination of the rigorous training. These officers will now proceed to various Naval training establishments and ships of the Indian Navy, to consolidate their training in specialised fields. (ANI)
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- The Hindu
Floriculturists urge revival of long-pending scent factory project in Kanniyakumari
The long-pending request of the farmers from Kanniyakumari district to establish a scent factory at the Floriculture Research Station (FRS) in Thovalai has remained stalled for over seven years. While the farmers from the region have consistently urged for the implementation of the project, officials have pointed to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board's (TNPCB) nonchalant attitude to issue No Objection Certificate for the implementation of the project, citing various environmental and safety concerns. Established in 2008, the FRS in Thovalai is the first research station dedicated to flowers in a plain region. The station has been actively engaged in experimenting various projects for the benefit of the floriculturist and individuals involved in utilising the byproduct of the flowers. Accordingly, the station had undertaken a project under the National Agriculture Development Programme about seven years ago to set up a scent factory on the station premises. This initiative received robust backing from the farmers, floriculturists from Kanniyakumari and nearby districts, as it promised a regularised income through their floral yields. A steam distillation unit including boiler and other essential equipment was installed at a cost of around ₹25 lakh. However, the project came to halt due to the TNPCB's non-clearance of NOC. Despite this setback, farmers have continued to urge the government to shift the project to other suitable locations within the district. Chenbagasekara Pillai, a farmer from Thuvarangadu, highlighted that the implementation of the project would benefit the floriculturist in the region, where they will be having a stable income. 'The project would also encourage many others to turn to floriculture, which has been declining in the region due to climatic challenges, financial difficulties, and other issues,' he added. Noting that flowers are being actively cultivated in Rajavoor and nearby areas, beyond Thovalai region, he emphasised that setting up even a small unit elsewhere in the district would be beneficial. 'This issue has been raised multiple times at the farmers' grievance redressal meeting, but no effective measures have been taken so far,' he stated. Vasanth, a florist from Thovalai echoed these concerns, stating that the establishment of the scent factory would create employment opportunities in the region. He added, 'Many times our flowers are destroyed by rain and are thrown away as garbage due to lack of alternative use. If a scent factory is established in our district, floriculturists from Kanniyakumari and neighbouring districts could benefit from our hard earned yield.' A source from the research team explained that the primary reason for the TNPCB's refusal is the safety requirements that there should be no residential units within 2 km radius from the plant, due to the use of inflammable substances like hexane and others scent making. The source noted that the project could still be shifted to other remote places in the district, the central government has stopped funding under the scheme, and it remains at the audit update phase. 'If the State government or any other private entity is willing to take up the project, it would be a significant boon for the farmers,' the source noted.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Only 93 Lucknow hotels, restaurants fire-safe, rest all ticking bombs
Over the past few decades, the city's hospitality sector has seen a boom. While hotels are thriving, their unchecked growth didn't come without a cost. While the official records put the number of establishments in the hospitality business in the city at 2,600, only 93 hotels, guest houses and restaurants possess a valid fire no-objection certificate (NOC), the state fire department's records say. How these hotels are allowed to function without the required clearances remains a glaring question—one that reflects a serious lapse in regulation and enforcement. The highest concentration of these unregulated hotels is located in Charbagh, Arya Nagar, Moti Nagar, Pandariba, Naka Hindola, Hussainganj and Lal Kuan. On this stretch, over 350 hotels and hundreds of restaurants function without fire safety clearances, the department says. Not just that, but many of them also flout zoning laws and make the roads inaccessible for emergency services. Common violations Among the many rules that are not paid heed to, the most common is the presence of one gate that serves as both entrance and exit. Also, fire alarms, smoke detectors and proper ventilation are missing in many establishments. Narrow staircases—sometimes just 3 feet wide—pose a serious evacuation risk. Electrical audits haven't been conducted for years in many buildings. Several lack even a basic water supply, let alone hydrants. 'Disaster' in waiting In the Guru Nanak Market area, residential flats originally built for refugees have been illegally converted into hotels. These conversions often ignore building safety codes and fire prevention measures. Despite the blatant violations, authorities have failed to take meaningful action—allegedly due to the influence wielded by those running these hotels. Many of these operators are said to be politically or financially well-connected. In the densely populated localities of Charbagh, the risks are even more pronounced. Within just a two-kilometer radius, many of the hotels are tucked into narrow lanes with virtually no emergency access. These hotels lack even fundamental safeguards such as proper exit routes, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, or adequate ventilation. Some hotels are situated in narrow lanes that no fire tender can enter. Shyam Krishnani, the secretary of a city hotel association, said the regulatory bodies were failing to keep up with the growing number of hotels. 'It's not just about business anymore—it's about human lives. We need immediate and coordinated efforts from the fire department, municipal corporation, and the district administration to prevent the next disaster,' he said. 'Will cut power supply' After issuing several warnings previously, the authorities continued to warn such establishments with licence cancellation and electricity supply disconnection. City chief fire officer Mangesh Kumar said: 'The fire department will now be very strict. As many as 135 hotels have been issued notices [for not acquiring NOCs], and the department has recommended the cancellation of licences of 80 of them. Earlier, we used to send our reports to the administration for action, but we are now going to cut the power supply of these 80 hotels. We've also decided to cut the power supply to 73 nursing homes for violating fire norms. We've already discussed this with LESA, and the district administration has given us the green signal for action against the violators of fire safety norms.' Meanwhile, district magistrate Vishakh G said: 'Sustained action against non-compliant hotels is required, including sealing their premises and revoking licenses. The fire department, LESA, municipal corporation and LDA must work in coordination.'
