In the wake of the tragic fire accident at Gulzar Houz in Hyderabad that claimed 17 lives, including eight children, the Telangana government has constituted a six-member high-level committee comprising senior IAS and IPS officers to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Mr. Ponnam Prabhakar, who also serves as the in-charge minister for Greater Hyderabad, announced the formation of the committee on Tuesday. The panel includes some of the state’s top officials: GHMC Commissioner Mr. R.V. Karnan (2012-batch IAS officer), Hyderabad District Collector Mr. Anudeep Durishetty (2018-batch IAS officer), Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mr. C.V. Anand (1991-batch IPS officer), Director General of Fire Services Mr. Y. Nagi Reddy (1997-batch IPS officer), HYDRAA Commissioner Mr. A.V. Ranganath (1996-batch IPS officer), and TSSPDCL Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Musharraf Ali Faruqui (2014-batch IAS officer).
The devastating blaze broke out on Sunday, May 18, in a commercial-cum-residential building at Gulzar Houz, near the iconic Charminar in Hyderabad’s old city. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was triggered by a short circuit that caused a blast in the air conditioner compressor unit.
Minister Mr. Prabhakar stated that the committee has been tasked with probing the root causes of the accident, the role and response of each department during rescue and relief operations, and the preparedness of infrastructure in such densely populated areas.
In addition to pinpointing accountability, the committee will also recommend preventive measures and suggest the best practices to avoid such incidents in the future. “The committee will examine the policies and safety protocols currently in place and advise the state government on the systemic changes required to ensure public safety,” Mr. Prabhakar said.
Once the report is submitted, Chief Minister Mr. A. Revanth Reddy, along with the Deputy Chief Minister and senior bureaucrats, will review the findings and take a policy-level decision based on the committee’s recommendations.
The incident has triggered widespread concern over fire safety measures in commercial and residential buildings, especially in older parts of the city. The state government has promised swift and strict action following the report, with a focus on long-term fire safety planning.
