New Delhi, Nov 6 (IANS): A day after a fire broke out at brothels in GB Road area here, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal along with a team on Friday inspected the damaged premises as well as temporary shelter set up for affected women.
They also interacted with the women living therein to understand the challenges and problems faced by them.
A few brothels had caught fire due to a short circuit, the DCW took cognisance of the matter and sought a response from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Fire about the legality and safety arrangements at these brothels.
The Commission has fought a long battle against authorities to seek closure of these brothels and has been working to persuade them to take steps towards rehabilitation of the women living in GB Road area.
The Commission has asked the civic body if it has ever conducted a survey of the area or taken any other initiative towards closure of these brothels. It also asked the Delhi Fire Service if appropriate safety measures are available in the area in case of a mishap like the one that occurred on Thursday. It has also enquired if any NOC has been issued by the department for these buildings.
"The Commission has taken a strong view of the inhuman conditions in which the women in GB Road are forced to live. The Commission has been fighting a long battle to ensure closure of these brothels. The Commission is committed towards the cause and will take up the matter with much more vigour in the coming days," said Rahul Tahiliani, Spokesperson and PRO of the Delhi Commission for Women.
Maliwal said: "Since I have joined the Commission, I have worked hard to try to ensure closure of the GB Road brothels and rehabilitation of the women and children living a miserable life in these small rooms."
"These brothels are being run by influential and powerful people. Luckily, no one was injured in the fire but the living condition of women in these brothels is very bad. Hundreds and thousands of lives are confined in these dingy cells. We have issued notice to the MCD and the Fire Services. It is my aim to get these brothels to be shut down before the end of my tenure," she added.