No fireworks at Magnetic Maharashtra

Mumbai: To prevent any untoward incident like the fire during the ‘Make in India’ event at Girgaum Chowpatty in 2016, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) has issued strict warning to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) not to use fireworks and pyrotechnics during the ‘Magnetic Maharashtra’ event at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

The Magnetic Maharashtra event — a brainchild of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and industries minister Subhash Desai to boost investment in Maharashtra — will be held from February 18 to 20 at BKC. The event will be hosted by the MIDC with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a national partner.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the event on Sunday.

During the cultural programme at the 'Make In India' held on February 14, 2016 at Girgaum Chowpatty, a massive blaze had engulfed the entire stage. In its report, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) had squarely blamed event management firm Wizcraft International accusing them of 'wilful' negligence and flouting fire safety norms. Interestingly, the contract for organising the Mangetic Maharashtra event has been awarded to the same agency - Wizcraft International.

"The MIDC has made an application seeking permission to hold the event at the BKC and we have issued a non-objection certificate (NoC) on the condition that they will comply the fire safety measures suggested by us. One of the major conditions is that there will be no use of fireworks and pyrotechnics near the main pandal of the event," said a senior fire official from the MFB.

Among the other conditions, the fire brigade has asked the organizers to use fire retardant paints on the temporary structures to be erected for the event. They have also been asked to provide emergency exits at specific distance in the premises to ensure evacuation and rescue operations during emergency. The MFB has banned the cooking near the main pandal and has asked it to carry out away in a place surrounded by metal sheets. Restrictions have also been put in place on the use of gas cylinders and combustible material. Instructions have been issued to make available fire extinguishers and water drums in adequate numbers.

"The event is of mega importance and it will be attended by VIPs like the prime minister, governor and chief minister. In such situation, we cannot take any chance in terms of fire safety measures. We have asked the MIDC to implement these measures and inform us well in advance so that our officer inspects them before the event starts and issue a fire safety compliance certificate," said the official.