Siliguri, April 6: A special task force of fire department officials will soon visit Siliguri and check whether buildings have been constructed in conformity with West Bengal Fire Prevention Act 1950.

Pratim Chatterjee, the Bengal minister for fire services, said this was inaugurating the second fire station to come up under Siliguri sub-division at Matigara Paribahan Nagar this afternoon.

“I have discussed the issue with Siliguri mayor Bikash Ghosh and came to know that several highrises and commercial complexes had not taken the mandatory no-objection certificate from the fire service department and they were constructed without maintaining proper fire protection arrangements,” he said. “A three-four member task force will reach here by next month.” .

Chatterjee warned action on those buildings which were constructed after 2001-2002 violating safety rules. He, however, said the team would talk to landlords regarding the necessary measures needed for old buildings.

The minister promised that two more fire stations would come up here over the next couple of years. While one will be set up at Sevoke Road, the other will be in Mirik. “The city is expanding and most of its commercial activities stretch to Sevoke Road and the surrounding areas.”

The minister also promised that the Siliguri fire station would get a 54-meter ladder and at least 20 special fire proof protection gears in the next one year.