Sir,

I am a practising civil engineer and would like to share my concerns regarding building violations and their consequences, particularly in the wake of the recent fire tragedy in Mysuru city.

Building violations often play a major role in fire accidents. Unauthorised constructions, blocked emergency exits, faulty electrical wiring, inadequate fire-safety measures and non-compliance with building regulations can quickly turn a minor fire into a major disaster.

This is precisely what appears to have happened at the illegal restaurant at Dattagalli on June 15, which claimed two lives.

Some of the most common building violations include: Illegal additions and alterations to buildings; Absence of or malfunctioning fire alarms and sprinkler systems; Obstructed stairways and emergency exits; Overloaded electrical circuits and unsafe wiring; Storage and use of flammable materials for aesthetic purposes without adequate safeguards; Lack of fire-safety awareness and training among staff, including in use of available fire-fighting equipment.

The consequences of such violations are all too evident: loss of human lives & property damage.

Every ignored violation is a risk waiting to ignite, while every safety measure is a step towards preventing hazards and protecting lives. Ensuring strict adherence to building regulations and fire-safety norms is not merely a legal requirement. Rather, it is a moral responsibility.

The question is: Who will be held accountable? Punishing owners and compensating victims is not enough. All those responsible for enforcing regulations, including engineers, Fire Services personnel and officials of departments that approve plans and collect taxes, must be held accountable for lapses. Only strict enforcement of law and accountability at every level can prevent such tragedies.

—S. Prakash, former Chairman, ACCE(I) Mysore

Mysuru

17.6.2026