Checking Into A High Risk Area

New Delhi: Sealed windows leading to a lack of ventilation, narrow staircases next to lifts and inadequate fire safety measures — violations like these are rampant across affordable hospitality hubs like Mahipalpur and Paharganj, making them vulnerable to catastrophes, similar to the one in Hauz Rani that claimed 21 lives.A reality check across these city hubs by TOI revealed several violations and structural concerns that mirror, and in some cases appear even worse than, the conditions that led to the Hauz Rani blaze.In southwest Delhi’s Mahipalpur, where hundreds of budget hotels cater largely to tourists because of their proximity to the airport, the potential consequences of a fire could be even more severe.A typical four-storey building houses at least nine rooms on each floor. In multiple hotels, windows are completely sealed and can’t be opened, leaving virtually no scope for ventilation or emergency escape. Many hotels feature thick glass facades designed to block outside noise, particularly the sound of aircraft from the nearby airport.However, in the event of a fire, such structures could trap occupants inside smoke-filled rooms and make rescue efforts difficult. Most of these establishments have minimal visible firefighting infrastructure. Several floors have only a single fire extinguisher and a hydrant despite accommodating dozens of guests. Many rooms are large enough to host entire families, increasing the number of people who could be trapped during an emergency.Accessibility poses another major concern. The nearest fire station at Vasant Kunj is about 5.6 km away. While the distance is not significant, heavy congestion on the Dhaula Kuan-Gurgaon stretch and a maze of narrow internal lanes are likely to delay emergency response, fire officials feared.Residents pointed to low-hanging overhead wires and tightly packed lanes, making it difficult for large fire tenders to enter. When TOI visited one such lane, a small goods tempo took nearly 15 minutes to manoeuvre and turn around. A local said, “If a small vehicle like this takes so long, imagine the difficulty a fire tender will face while navigating its way and reaching the spot of a blaze in time.”Pointing to an electricity pole at the entrance of the lane, Alpana (26), who has been living there on rent for the past two years, said, “During the monsoon, the poles often catch fire. This pole has so many wires attached to it that it has started leaning to one side. Every day, as more cables are added, it tilts further and looks like it may collapse any moment.”The situation is no different in Paharganj. As one descends from the Desh Bandhu Gupta Road bridge, which spans the railway tracks, rows of hotels line both sides of the road, standing cheek by jowl like matchboxes. Along Dariba Pan Road, the congestion intensifies, with a continuous stretch of hotels standing wall to wall.Here, the nearest fire station is the Delhi Fire Service headquarters at Barakhamba Road, barely 1.5 km away. Despite the short distance, officials said response time can still stretch from 15 to 20 minutes because of chronic traffic congestion near the railway station, narrow approach roads and the maze-like network of tightly packed lanes inside the locality.The area remains brightly illuminated throughout the night with extensive decorative and commercial lighting, increasing electrical load in an already overcrowded neighbourhood. Many hotels feature glass panels instead of proper windows, offering no means of ventilation or emergency escape. Advertisements outside the structures promote three to four rooms on each floor, despite the cramped layout of the hotels and apparent lack of natural airflow.Sujit (30), who hails from Bihar, has put up at one such hotel for a night after returning from Vaishno Devi. He said, “We chose Paharganj because it is close to the railway station. My mother is a heart patient and a diabetic, and we needed a place to rest before continuing our journey. After hearing about the fire, we were concerned, but there wasn’t much choice. Our room costs just Rs 1,000 a night and staying here helps us avoid extra travel expenses.”