PMC Orders Civic Audit of Large Housing Societies After Undri Fire Tragedy
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has ordered a comprehensive civic audit of all housing societies with more than 100 flats, following the tragic fire at Marvel Ideal Society in Undri.
PuneHousing SocietiesCivic AuditFire SafetyUndri FireReal Estate NewsSep 29, 2025
According to PMC officials, the incident at the premium Undri project highlighted gaps in emergency preparedness and basic civic infrastructure. In response, Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram announced the formation of a dedicated task force to conduct random inspections of large housing societies. The focus will be on checking whether essential civic and safety compliances are being met, and strict action will be taken against violators.
“We are going to strictly check the NOCs issued to residential societies and verify whether necessary compliance has been done,” said Commissioner Ram. The civic audit will cover key areas such as fire safety audits, the functioning of sewage treatment plants (STPs), the condition of elevators, and misuse of parking spaces for commercial or unauthorised purposes.
Among the mandatory documents to be reviewed are the Fire Department NOC, required under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, and the Lift Safety Certificate, which must be obtained before occupancy in buildings with elevators. The audit will also verify NOCs related to water supply, drainage, and stormwater connections to prevent unauthorised or unsafe infrastructure.
Commissioner Ram said housing societies found flouting norms or misusing designated areas like parking will face strict penalties. “This fire incident is a wake-up call for both authorities and residents. In many housing societies, once possession is given, compliance with safety norms takes a backseat. Fire audits, lift maintenance, and STP functioning are often ignored until something goes wrong. Regular civic audits, especially in large societies, are essential to ensure basic infrastructure and safety measures are in place. There should also be transparency in how these societies are managed and how civic amenities are maintained,” said civic activist Shashikant Mehendale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted thePMC to order a civic audit of large housing societies?
The tragic fire at Marvel Ideal Society in Undri, which resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy and injuries to five others, including two firefighters, exposed serious lapses in fire safety measures. This prompted the PMC to order a comprehensive civic audit.
What areas will the civic audit cover?
The civic audit will cover key areas such as fire safety audits, the functioning of sewage treatment plants (STPs), the condition of elevators, and misuse of parking spaces for commercial or unauthorised purposes.
What documents will be reviewed during the audit?
Mandatory documents to be reviewed include the Fire Department NOC, required under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, and the Lift Safety Certificate. The audit will also verify NOCs related to water supply, drainage, and stormwater connections.
What penalties will be imposed on housing societies found violating norms?
Housing societies found flouting norms or misusing designated areas like parking will face strict penalties, as announced by Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram.
Why is regular civic auditing important for large housing societies?
Regular civic audits are essential to ensure that basic infrastructure and safety measures are in place. They help in maintaining transparency in the management of housing societies and in the maintenance of civic amenities.
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