The District Administrative Complex (DAC) in Bathinda has been operating with expired fire extinguishers for more than two months, sparking serious concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness. A visit to the DAC on Friday revealed that the extinguishers had expired at the end of April. This is not the first instance of neglect; last year, the extinguishers were refilled nearly four months after their expiration in January.
Offices of senior officials at risk
The DAC houses the offices of several senior officers, including the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADCs), Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), multiple Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and various other government departments. The complex also sees a large number of visitors daily, amplifying the potential risk in case of a fire emergency.
Official response and reasons for delay
Responding to the issue, Bathinda SDM Amandeep Singh Mavi stated, "The money has been released and the process of refilling the fire extinguishers has started. All the extinguishers at the DAC will be refilled within the next two to three days." Sources indicated that the delay in refilling was due to a lack of funds, which has now been resolved.
Impact on public safety
The expired extinguishers compromise the safety of both employees and the public who visit the DAC daily. With fire safety equipment non-functional, the complex remains vulnerable to fire incidents, highlighting a broader issue of maintenance and emergency preparedness in government buildings.
