Are Bengaluru’s pubs prepared for an emergency? Officials say, ‘many do not bother to follow rules’

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After the deadly fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub in Goa, that killed 25 people, Bengaluru officials responsible for ensuring fire safety in pubs are urging stronger enforcement and more frequent inspections.

A senior fire department official said that despite repeated notices, many pubs continue to ignore even the most basic fire safety norms, Deccan Herald reported.

As per the official, several recommendations have already been sent to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the health department to cancel the licences of pubs that fail to meet safety standards. “Many pubs do not bother to follow fire safety rules or maintain proper access routes. The violations we saw years ago continue even today,” he was quoted by DH as saying.

He added that the fire department must carry out regular special drives, particularly in high-rise buildings where rooftop pubs operate. These checks, he said, should verify whether pubs have functional fire extinguishers, proper firefighting systems and clear, unobstructed emergency exits.

He pointed out that some establishments even use parking areas as storage for safety equipment, creating additional risks. “Customer safety must always come first. Fire safety rules cannot be ignored,” he said.

RTI activist HM Venkatesh claimed that officials from certain departments are indirectly helping pubs with illegal rooftop or enclosed “roofed-off” structures continue operating without confirming if they meet safety norms.

Venkatesh said he had filed an RTI seeking action taken against a pub in the Central Business District (CBD). In its response, the GBA stated it had written to the health department requesting follow-up action. However, when Venkatesh met health department officials, they reportedly told him they had received no such communication. “This shows how departments try to shift responsibility instead of taking action,” he said.

Police launch crackdown ahead of New Year celebrations

With New Year’s Eve approaching, Bengaluru City Police has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised pubs and fire safety violations, working in coordination with the Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services.

City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said that a high-level meeting will be held on Wednesday with various departments to review safety concerns at pubs across the city, especially in the wake of the Goa pub tragedy.

“We will raise all issues with officials from GBA, Bescom and other concerned departments. Every establishment will be thoroughly checked to prevent any untoward incidents,” DH quoted Singh as saying.

Police officials added that the enforcement drive will focus on unlicensed pubs, overcrowded venues and rooftop establishments violating safety regulations. Key entertainment hubs, including MG Road, Brigade Road, Indiranagar, Koramangala, HSR Layout and parts of North Bengaluru, will be covered under the inspections.

“We will not allow any outlet to compromise public safety during New Year celebrations. Strict action will be taken against pubs operating without proper permissions or ignoring fire safety rules,” the commissioner said.