The tragic nightclub fire in Arpora, North Goa, claimed over 25 lives, and a technical report by the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services has confirmed it was a man-made disaster, not an accident.

The Man-Made Disaster

• Lack of Fire Safety NOC: The club operated without a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department, thereby failing to comply with fire safety norms.
• Failure to Act on Notice: The local Panchayat had issued a demolition notice for the structure, but it was never executed.
• Flammable Materials: The building featured highly flammable wooden panels and decoration, which allowed the fire to spread rapidly.
• Poor Ventilation: The basement lacked proper ventilation & most victims died from inhaling toxic smoke and a lack of oxygen, highlighting the danger of poor airflow.

The Pattern of Regulatory Failure

• Not an Isolated Incident: The Goa blaze reflects a long pattern of regulatory failure, similar to tragedies in Virudhnagar firecracker units, the Stephen Court fire in Kolkata, and the Uphaar Cinema tragedy (1997) where 60 people died due to blocked exits.
• Core Issue: The fundamental problem is weak enforcement and a persistent implementation gap. Despite laws like the National Building Code 2016 and State Fire Service Acts, fire safety remains a low administrative priority, leading to reactive governance—action only after fatalities.
• Facilitators of Negligence: Violations thrive due to corruption (bought NOCs), political patronage (illegal clubs protected), and officer apathy marked by lax, superficial inspections.

Way Forward

• Technology and Accountability: Regular Fire Safety Audits must be conducted, and the findings must be published on a public e-governance portal. 
  • Furthermore, non-compliant firms should be publicly identified through naming and shaming.
• Community Participation: Safety should involve local governance institutions such as Panchayats and Municipalities. 
  • Building owners should be incentivised, for example, through tax breaks, to use fire-resistant materials and install fire exits.
  • High penalties must be enforced for operating without NOCs.
• Training: Staff in high-risk establishments, including hotels, hospitals, and clubs, must be trained in emergency procedures and crowd management, as panic significantly increases casualties during a fire.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

Conclusion

Preventing such man-made tragedies demands a shift from reactive to accountable governance. Fire safety must be treated as a core public duty, backed by strict enforcement, transparent audits, empowered local bodies, and zero tolerance for corruption and regulatory neglect.

DOWNLOAD PDF