Recently, the Bombay High Court indicated it may halt all development activities in Mumbai if the state government fails to enforce fire safety regulations.

The court stated, "On the next date, we may consider passing an order to suspend all permissions for development granted by various Planning Authorities and Corporations, at least within Mumbai."

This warning came from the division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, during a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate and Social Activist Abha Singh.

Singh is urging the implementation of the draft special rules and regulations for fire safety, established in 2009, aimed at protecting buildings vulnerable to man-made disasters.

In its order, the bench recalled that on July 31, 2004, it expressed optimism that the final notification for the DCPR-2034 for Greater Mumbai and the UDCPR-2020 for Maharashtra would be issued by the state by the next hearing.

However, Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan presented a communication from the Under Secretary of the Urban Development Department, dated October 7, 2024, indicating that the department is in the process of finalizing the necessary files.

The bench highlighted the continued delay in issuing the final notification, despite its earlier directive for the notification to be issued by July 31. It remarked, “Accidents caused by fire in buildings—residential, commercial, or industrial—continue to result in loss of life. Just last week, reports surfaced of a tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of seven family members in Siddharth Colony, Chembur.”

Additionally, the bench noted that the proposed amendments to the DCPR for Mumbai and the UDCPR for the rest of Maharashtra aim to enhance the requirements for granting development permissions, ensuring that constructions comply with essential fire prevention measures and can effectively address the impacts of other natural or man-made disasters.

The court has adjourned the matter until October 11, allowing the government pleader time to seek further instruction.

Case title: Abha Singh vs State of Maharashtra & Ors