Hurdles in ‘escape way’: Is Vellore Collectorate a safe zone?

Inaugurated in 1991, when the then North Arcot district was bifurcated into Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts, the imposing five storeyed Collector’s office had a host of safety features then, which were considered the latest. However, as years passed by, the officials have not upgraded the safety equipments, but have used many of them for other purposes.

The corridor connecting the A and B blocks on all floors has a spiral walkway that doubles up as an escape route during fire accidents. However, since no case of such accident has been reported for 30 years, the spiral walkway is now encroached with construction materials. Stone bricks and moulds are placed on one side of the walkway and officials concerned are not bothered about its hazards although they are aware of it.

When the issue was highlighted, one of the officials replied sarcastically that the materials would be removed the next day. To make matters worse, the sand buckets in the ‘A’ block in the building kept to distinguish fire is now filled with garbage and even some spit into it while passing.

Apart from these, a cabin used by police to place women who attempted self-immolation now serves as a place to stick posters of the deceased.

It may be recalled thatDT Next earlier reported that chemicals in the fire extinguishers at the Collector’s office were beyond their expiry date as they were not changed often. However, they were removed quickly following the report.