KTR Seeks 25 Lakh Ex Gratia For Gulzar Houz Victims

BRS working president K T Rama Rao today visited the grieving families affected by the tragic fire accident at Gulzar Houz and said that the incident should serve as a wake-up call to improve emergency infrastructure in the city.

Addressing the media, KTR said that he had no intention of criticising anyone but was merely voicing the concerns of the victims' families and highlighting the urgent gaps in the system.

17 members of the Agarwal family - residents of Charminar for over 125 years - lost their lives in what KTR described as one of the most painful tragedies in Hyderabad's history. Among the victims were eight children.

"The families told us that fire engines arrived without water, and firefighters couldn't enter the premises due to the lack of proper protective masks. Ambulances, too, arrived without oxygen cylinders or masks. Had these basic life-saving facilities been available, some lives could have been saved. They're not blaming anyone. Their only request is that such a tragedy should never happen to any other family," KTR lamented.

He recounted heart-wrenching testimonies from survivors, who also shared how local Hindus and Muslims rushed in to help and pulled victims from the blaze.

While refraining from personal attacks, KTR expressed disappointment that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy - who also holds the Home and Municipal Administration portfolios - did not visit the tragedy site despite the scale of the disaster.

"This is not about politics; it's about humanity. At a time when Hyderabad witnessed one of its worst fire tragedies, the Chief Minister's presence could have provided solace to the grieving families and sent a strong message about the government's commitment to public safety," he said.

He reiterated that his visit was not politically motivated. "I didn't come here to blame or politicise. But every summer, the Municipal Administration Department should conduct review meetings on fire preparedness. That didn't happen this time, and that's unfortunate," he said.

The former minister also highlighted the challenges of fire and rescue operations in Old City areas including Gulzar Houz, which had high population density and narrow lanes. "Our officers need regular training and mock drills. Emergency services must be fully equipped and functional. This isn't just a demand - it's a necessity," he said.

Taking a subtle dig at the government's priorities, KTR said, "The kind of attention and spending we see for beauty pageants should also be directed towards strengthening emergency response systems."

KTR urged the State government to immediately provide Rs 25 lakh in compensation to the families of each of the deceased, and also extend support to the Agarwal family in rebuilding their century-old business.

He concluded by urging the government to act with compassion and ensure that such tragedies were never repeated.