Most factories in industrial area flout rules: Fire officials

New Delhi: The 50,000-odd factories running in the industrial areas at Narela, Bawana, Najafgarh, Badli and Mundka, whether on authorised or unauthorised land, can turn into deathtraps during fire tragedies.

- Sakshi.Chand

Fire officials said only a handful of factories in these areas were built following the norms. Most have only a single entry and exit, making escape during fires difficult. The factories can only be approached from one side and the rear is usually inaccessible, while the sides have the boundaries of other factories.

On Tuesday, TOI visited Narela Industrial Area and saw that most factories had a single entry and exit point, making them deathtraps in case of fires. Around 4,000 units are located in the area, but only a handful are constructed as per the norms. Most factories have grilles and iron sheds covering every inch of the building.