A tragic fire at a children’s hospital in Vivek Vihar, Delhi, claimed the lives of six newborns and caused extensive damage to nearby businesses and residences. Residents had long voiced concerns about the safety risks posed by the hospital, which stored oxygen cylinders on the ground floor of the residential building.
The blaze, which started in the neonatal unit, quickly spread to a neighboring optical clinic, causing significant losses. The fire also damaged parts of a boutique, a bank, and shattered the glass wall of a car showroom across the street. The mixed-land use zoning allowed non-residential activities in the area, contributing to the disaster.
Local residents, including Gayathri Kaushik and Faiyaj Alam, had repeatedly complained to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) about the constant loading and unloading of oxygen cylinders. “The cylinders started burning, blasting, and flying in different directions,” said Kaushik, whose brother’s optical shop was destroyed.
Vidhi, another resident, mentioned that some neighbors had even moved out due to the noise and potential danger. Gunjan Gupta, a former municipal councilor, confirmed that numerous complaints had been made by the Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) but were ignored.
MCD Councilor Pankaj Luthra stated that although he had reported the issue, MCD officials found no irregularities and the hospital had a valid Delhi government license. Preeti, a councilor from AAP, echoed these concerns, stating that the hospital’s location and storage practices were inappropriate and unsafe.
The incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in mixed-use residential areas to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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