Admin to seal 6 hotels, 5 hospitals in city for violating safety norms

Patna: City administration will seal six hotels and five private hospitals in Patna for violating fire safety norms, with action expected to begin within the next five days. “Proposals to seal five hospitals have already been sent to the district administration. We are also monitoring compliance in coaching institutes operating in the city,” said Manoj Kumar Nat, fire services DIG, on Saturday.

The move comes in the wake of recent fire incidents in Delhi and Muzaffarpur, which exposed serious lapses in safety preparedness. At least 21 people were killed in a massive blaze at a hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on June 3, while five people died in a fire at a private hospital in Muzaffarpur on June 4. Two more later succumbed to burn injuries during treatment.

The DIG said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent similar incidents in the state capital. “Institutions not complying with fire safety norms have been issued notices to rectify deficiencies within a week. Meanwhile, proposals to seal six hotels and five private hospitals in the city have been forwarded to the district administration,” he said.

A recent departmental survey has raised serious concerns about safety in Patna’s hotels. Of the 241 hotels inspected, only 80 were found to be fully compliant with fire safety norms, while 161 were operating with partial compliance, putting guests at risk during emergencies.

Similarly, a fire safety audit of 462 private hospitals in the district revealed that 78 are yet to meet prescribed norms, though 384 facilities had complied as of April 2026.

District fire officer Ritesh Kumar Pandey said notices are being issued to 32 more establishments. “They must respond within 7 to 14 days. If replies are unsatisfactory, proposals to seal them will be sent to the administration,” he added.