PIL seeks removal of enclosures that make buildings ‘death traps’

New Delhi: Citing recent fatal fire incidents in the city, an advocate has moved Delhi High Court seeking directions to authorities to identify and remove hazardous cage-like iron grill enclosures and illegal projections in residential buildings that allegedly obstruct evacuation and rescue operations during emergencies.

In his public interest litigation (PIL), 52-year-old Ashish Jain has argued that repeated residential fire tragedies in Delhi expose a serious safety concern, with the loss of life not only because of the fire but also because of smoke-filled buildings, enclosed balconies, iron grills and blocked escape routes preventing timely evacuation and rescue.

The plea cites several fire tragedies, including the Vivek Vihar blaze on May 3, in which nine people died after being trapped inside a residential building filled with flames and smoke, and the Palam fire in March that killed nine members of a family. It argues that the widespread enclosure of balconies and ventilation openings with permanent iron grills has transformed many residential buildings into potential “death traps”.

Referring to Wednesday’s fire at a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Malviya Nagar’s Hauz Rani that left 21 people dead and several injured, Jain told TOI that sealed balconies and service areas with iron grills, concrete extensions and similar structures severely limited escape options during fires.

“During a fire, smoke and toxic gases become trapped inside these enclosed spaces, making evacuation extremely difficult. These structures not only block escape routes but also hinder rescue operations,” he pointed out.

The PIL seeks directions to Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Fire Service and Delhi govt to also keep service lanes accessible for emergency vehicles and formulate citywide guidelines for the installation of safety enclosures in residential buildings.

Jain said he had written to the MCD commissioner after the Vivek Vihar incident, highlighting the growing practice of enclosing rear balconies and extending structures into service lanes in violation of the building bye-laws.

According to the petition, this practice is particularly common in Delhi's stilt-plus-four-storey residential buildings. Permanent iron grills and fabricated extensions often encroach upon service lanes and obstruct critical access points.

The plea notes that the building bye-laws provide for rear setbacks, balconies and service lanes to ensure ventilation, natural light and emergency access. These spaces serve as vital escape routes for residents and entry points for fire and rescue personnel.

It argues that open rear spaces help dissipate smoke and heat during fires. Since smoke inhalation is responsible for most fire-related deaths, sealing these openings with iron grills, PVC sheets and similar materials can significantly increase the risk to occupants by trapping toxic gases and obstructing evacuation. The petitioner has, therefore, sought restoration of adequate open spaces around residential buildings to improve emergency access.