The Rajkot gaming zone fire which killed 27 people last month has led the state government to take urgent action. On Wednesday, draft rules were released on licensing requirements, maintenance and public safety for amusement parks and gaming zones under the Gujarat Amusement Rides and Gaming Zone Activities (Safety) Rules, 2024.
Earlier incidents include the Harni lake boat capsize in January 2024 which claimed the lives of 16 people, including 12 children, and the Kankaria ride failure which killed two in July 2019.
The new 62-page rules mandate the formation of a city/district ride safety and inspection committee (CRSCI) or (DRSCI) which will provide their opinion on whether safety and maintenance protocols for licences were followed for amusement rides installed for periods exceeding three months. Licences will be granted for not less than two years.
Under these new rules, temporary fairs that last less than three months have also been brought under the licensing ambit. The rules focus on amusement rides and indoor gaming zones but exclude boating activities, said government sources.
Insurance mandatory
The rules make it mandatory for operators to have third-party liability insurance cover of at least Rs 10 lakh per patron in case of death or permanent disability, Rs 7.5 lakh for partial disability and Rs 2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses. Fire safety and adverse incident evacuation drills must be conducted every 90 days.
The licensing authority for these rides or gaming zones will be the commissioner of police or district magistrate, depending on location. Certification for fire safety, evacuation plans, building use (BU) permission, structural stability, health, sanitation and electrical installations are mandatory for both amusement rides and gaming zones licences.
Sites will be inspected by the CRSCI or DRSCI, based on which the authority will issue licenses. Under the new rules for gaming zones, every game or device used, hydraulic equipment, pneumatic equipment, fire safety equipment, control panels, braking systems, emergency stop mechanisms and evacuation systems in case of emergency shall have to be inspected regularly.
The operators must ensure that no petrol/diesel generators are used unless fixed in fireproof compartment at least 20 feet from other buildings. Number of people present should never exceed capacity of premises.
The draft of the new rules has been put on the home department website, inviting citizens’ objections and suggestions by June 25.
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