HYDRAA Chief says nodal agency needed for electrical and fire safety in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Public safety must be treated as a top priority, said Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Commissioner A.V. Ranganath at a meeting held on Saturday at the HYDRAA office in Hyderabad. Addressing the topic “Electrical Safety in Buildings,” he highlighted the need for better coordination among departments such as Electricity, Fire Services, and Industries to prevent accidents.

Ranganath pointed out that many fire accidents stem from electrical issues. He spoke about the importance of precautionary measures and public awareness to prevent such incidents.

He proposed the creation of a nodal agency comprising experts from all relevant departments to ensure safety standards are being followed across sectors. The agency would be responsible for inspecting electrical wiring, earthing, and the use of certified electrical equipment in not just industries, but also residential buildings, apartments, and offices.

“Rather than reacting after an accident, we must focus on prevention,” he said, explaining the purpose behind organizing the meeting.

He also suggested that HYDRAA’s Disaster Response Force could take the lead in facilitating inter-departmental coordination.

Officials attending the meeting included Director of Factories Rajagopal; Deputy Chief Inspector of Boilers Bheem Rao; Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories Srinivas; Deputy Chief Electrical Inspector General Chandrasekhar; Synergy Consultant Srinivas; and Electrical Consultant Krishna Ramesh.

They shared updates on safety practices being implemented in industries, commercial buildings, and housing complexes.

Other participants included Additional Director of HYDRAA Fire Department Papayya; SP Sudarshan; Deputy Collector Sudha; RFO Jayaprakash; DFOs Yagnanarayana and Gautham; and SFOs.