NEW DELHI: Just 400 restaurants, out of 5000 and more eateries, have fire safety certificates in the national capital. 


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One of the main reason behind this is restaurants with seating arrangement of 50 or less, do not need to apply for fire safety certificates. 


“Will not comment on the number of eateries. There maybe 5000+ but in National Building Code only buildings with 50+ seats are under legal obligation to get NOC (no objection certificate) from the fire brigade. We were referred different cases out of which we gave NOC to 400 eateries,” said GC Mishra, Delhi's Chief Fire Officer on Saturday 


Mishra pointed out that several eateries in Hauz Khas and Khan Market area have the license for just 48 seats.


“Especially in congested localities like Hauz Khas, Khan Market, GK and Rajouri, many restaurants have come up, which are licensed for 48 seats. Since seats are less than 50 they are under no legal obligation to obtain NOC from fire department,” he added. 


The statement came a day after a massive fire broke out in Mumbai's Kamala Mills Complex that left 14 people dead and several injured.


The fire also engulfed Mojo's Bistro, a pub a storey below. Most of the 14 victims died of asphyxiation.


In September, the Delhi High Court had observed that places like Hauz Khas village “is a ticking time bomb without essential civic and emergency services.”