SURAT, August 26, 2025 – Ahead of the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, the Fire and Emergency Department of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has issued a comprehensive set of mandatory fire safety guidelines for all organizers of Ganesh mandaps and pandals. The new regulations, detailed in press note number 304, aim to ensure public safety and prevent any fire-related emergencies during the celebrations. 

Location and Structural Regulations

Organizers must adhere to strict location requirements to minimize risks. Key mandates include:

• Pandals must be constructed at least 15 feet away from schools, hospitals, and warehouses storing flammable materials.
• A minimum distance of 15 meters is required from electrical infrastructure such as transformers, high-tension lines, substations, and railway lines.
• Crucially, organizers must ensure that roads and access ways are kept clear and unobstructed to allow for the easy passage of fire department vehicles in an emergency.
• No commercial stalls are permitted inside the main pandal structure, and the storage of flammable materials near or under the stage is strictly prohibited.

Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety

The guidelines place a strong emphasis on preventing electrical mishaps and accidental fires.

• All pandals must feature clear, easily readable signage for “NO SMOKING ZONE,” “EXIT,” “EMERGENCY EXIT,” and “ESCAPE WAY.”
• Curtains and carpets used for decoration must be treated with fire-retardant paint to reduce flammability.
• All electrical wiring must comply with the current Electricity Act and be inspected and certified by a qualified expert.
• Diesel generators must be positioned at a safe distance of at least 5 meters from the main pandal.
• For religious rituals involving fire, such as a havan, a small havankund may be used, but it must be accompanied by adequate fire safety measures and placed under a fire-resistant ceiling (CI/GI sheet).

Emergency Preparedness and Compliance

To ensure a rapid response in case of an incident, the SMC has mandated specific emergency equipment and protocols.

• For every 100 square meters of pandal area, organizers must have on-site: two 6 kg ABC-type fire extinguishers, two 4.5 kg CO2-type fire extinguishers, two covered 200-liter barrels filled with water, and two buckets of sand. 
• Trained personnel, proficient in using fire extinguishers, must be present 24/7 throughout the festival period.
• A functional public address system is mandatory for crowd management and emergency announcements.

Organizers are reminded that these fire safety rules are in addition to permissions required from other civic bodies. They must still obtain separate

No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Police Department, Traffic Department, and other relevant SMC wings.

In case of a fire, the public is urged to immediately contact the fire department at 101, 102, or 0261-2414195-96.