Wankhede will be ready just in time: fire officials

Almost two weeks after the Mumbai Fire Brigade expressed dissatisfaction over inadequate fire safety arrangements at the renovated Wankhede Stadium.

Almost two weeks after the Mumbai Fire Brigade expressed dissatisfaction over inadequate fire safety arrangements at the renovated Wankhede Stadium,a recent inspection of the arrangements has given hope to officials.

Fire officials had,after their first visit,claimed that only 50 per cent of the fire safety norms shown in the master plan were actually implemented. On Saturday,however,they claimed that work is going on a war-footing and 80 per cent of the work is complete.

A divisional fire official,in-charge of the inspection,said the occupation certificate to the stadium was given in 1975 when the stadium was built. The renovation requires them to obtain a compliance certificate from the fire brigade. The stadium already has the OC. They have upgraded the existing fire safety equipment. During our first visit they were yet to install the riser system and fire alarms. We have now found that the alarms and riser systems were installed. Now,80 per cent of the work has been done and the pace of work gives us an assurance that it will be completed just in time, said the official.

The stadium will host two league matches on March 13 and 18 and the final match on April 2. The official added that the existing lapses are minor.

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