Days after the tragic fire incident in a gaming zone in Rajkot that killed 28 people, the Gujarat government ordered the closure of all 101 registered gaming zones across eight major cities in the state.
According to a TOI report, the crackdown comes after thorough inspections of all the gaming zones triggered by the Rajkot tragedy, revealed multiple safety violations at these facilities.
Of the 101 gaming zones in all major Gujarat cities, 20 have been permanently sealed because of the lack of necessary authorisations, including building use permissions and fire department NOCs, the publication reported quoting sources.
The remaining 81 have been “temporarily closed” until further safety assurances can be implemented.
Out of all major cities, the highest number of closures were reported in Rajkot with eight out of 12 zones sealed. Five gaming facilities were closed in Ahmedabad, four in Junagadh and three in Bhavnagar.
Vadodara, 16 gaming zones, including 11 indoor ones, have been temporarily shut down. The Chief Civic Officer in the city said that the notice has been issued to these gaming zones and can be reopened once all safety measures are implemented.
Rajkot Gaming Zone Fire Tragedy
As many as 27 people, including several children, were killed in the massive fire at a gaming zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot on May 25. Since the bodies were charred beyond recognition, the victims are being identified through DNA profiling.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team formed by the Gujarat government has questioned more than 25 persons and seized various documents so far, a senior officer said.
The police have so far arrested four persons, including three partners and the TRP Game Zone manager, in the aftermath of the incident.
“The state government has given us clear instructions to conduct a free and fair probe to ensure that injustice is not meted out to anyone. We have so far conducted a preliminary probe and seized all the relevant documents related to the game zone and further investigation is on,” said senior IPS officer Subhash Trivedi, who heads the SIT formed by the state government.
Similar Safety Inspections In Noida
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar also launched a fire safety inspection campaign at gaming zones after a deadly blaze at a gaming zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot.
As part of the two-day campaign, fire safety measures and equipment at gaming zones are being checked and in case any shortcomings are found, legal action, including registration of FIRs, would be initiated, said district Chief Fire Office Pradeep Kumar Choubey.
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