65% of bars in Visakhapatnam lack fire safety certification, say police after simultaneous raids

Investigation reveals majority of Visakhapatnam bars lack fire safety measures, violating liquor sale rules, and other regulations.

More than 65% of the city’s 92 bars and restaurants have not obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department, indicating that they are not safe from fire hazards, an investigation by the Visakhapatnam Commissionerate of Police revealed.

The police raided 92 bars & restaurants, and pubs in the city on Sunday night on the orders of Police Commissioner Shankabrata Bagchi.

A total of 450 policemen were formed into 92 teams and raids were conducted.

To analyse overall condition of bars in the city, the police verified the condition of bars on various parameters.

An analytical report released by the city police on Monday indicated that out of 92 bars and pubs searched in the city, 60 bars (65%) did not have an NOC from the Fire Department. It turns out that these bars do not comply with fire safety norms.

The police found that 54 bars (58%) were violating the rules in the sale of liquor. The liquor is being sold beyond the permitted price in those bars. Surprisingly, no complaints or comments were received from the customers at the bars during the raids on the issue, police said.

Eight bars found to be using domestic LPG cylinders in the kitchens instead of commercial LPG cylinders. Five bars do not have food licence certificate from the authorities concerned. Six bars do not have trade licences.