Gujarat centralises fire NOC approvals to speed up clearances

The Gujarat government has clarified that the Urban Development Department (UDD) will be the sole authority responsible for issuing Fire No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) across the state, ending uncertainty over which agency is empowered to grant the approvals.

The decision is intended to streamline the fire safety clearance process by placing responsibility with a single department. Officials expect the move to reduce delays, improve accountability and bring greater uniformity to the issuance of fire NOCs in urban areas.

The clarification follows concerns over ambiguity regarding the authority responsible for issuing fire safety clearances, which had led to confusion and inconsistencies in implementation. By centralising the process, the state government aims to create a more transparent and efficient system for ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations.

The Urban Development Department already oversees several building approval processes in Gujarat, including fire safety services available through the state’s online platforms. The latest clarification formally establishes it as the nodal authority for issuing fire NOCs statewide.

The move is expected to benefit developers, businesses and urban local bodies by providing a single point of authority for fire safety approvals, while strengthening enforcement of fire safety standards across Gujarat’s growing urban centres.