Kolkata: The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Kolkata Chapter, in collaboration with the West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services Department, on Monday organised Fire Safety Connect 2026, bringing restaurant operators together with senior Fire Department officials for direct discussions on fire safety and regulatory compliance.
The interaction enabled NRAI members to discuss specific concerns around pending Fire Safety Recommendations and NOCs, renewals, documentation, applications, Fire Licences and certificates, self-certification and other procedural requirements directly with the concerned officials. The discussions also provided businesses with clarity on the processes and documentation required for different fire safety services.
A key takeaway from the interaction was the availability of online mechanisms for several fire safety services, allowing businesses to submit applications, upload required documents and track the status of their cases through the prescribed channels. The discussion also covered the self-certification provisions available to eligible eateries with a seating capacity of up to 75 and a total floor area of up to 2,000 sq. ft., subject to applicable fire safety norms.
The session saw participation from senior officials of the West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services Department, including Abhijit Pandey, ADG; Shyam Chandra Mondal, DIC; Saroj Bagh, North DO; Ranjan Ghosh, DO AFP1 HQFS; Arun Patanayak, OC HQFS; and Sudipta Mukherjee, HQ Station Officer.
Piyush Kankaria, Chapter Head, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Kolkata Chapter, said, “For restaurant businesses, fire safety compliance involves several requirements, from NOCs and renewals to licences, documentation and applications. While businesses are committed to meeting these requirements, there are times when they need clarity on the process or the specific requirements applicable to them. As NRAI, one of our key roles is to help our members get that clarity and connect with the right authorities. Fire Safety Connect allowed our members to take up these aspects directly with the Fire Department and understand the processes they need to follow. We believe such interactions are important in helping restaurant businesses stay informed, comply with the requirements and operate with greater clarity.”
Fire Safety Connect 2026 reflects NRAI Kolkata’s continued focus on helping restaurant businesses better understand regulatory requirements and access the appropriate channels to address compliance-related matters. The initiative also highlights the importance of regular engagement between the restaurant industry and regulatory authorities in addressing practical compliance issues.
