TRSMA Urges Telangana Government to Relax Fire Safety Norms for Private Schools

On Tuesday, 14 July 2026, the Telangana Recognised School Managements Association (TRSMA) submitted a representation to the Telangana state government requesting relaxations in specific fire safety norms. The association is seeking these exemptions to facilitate the process of issuing No Objection Certificates (NoCs) to affordable private schools operating in Hyderabad.

The representation was formally presented to HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath by TRSMA President SN Reddy and General Secretary K Anil Kumar. The association leaders highlighted the unique structural challenges faced by older, affordable private educational institutions located within the congested municipal areas of the city.

According to the TRSMA, these schools possessed adequate access roads and open surroundings at the time of their initial establishment. However, over the years, rapid urban development and subsequent construction projects have significantly altered the landscape. Many of these older school premises are now closely surrounded by newly constructed buildings and residential apartments.

This surrounding development has severely restricted the physical space available around the campuses. As a result, there is now limited movement space for large fire engines to enter the school premises in the event of an emergency.

The TRSMA argued that the strict enforcement of existing fire safety rules, especially those concerning fire engine access in older and congested localities, has become a major practical difficulty. They expressed concern that failing to adapt these rules for long-established institutions could adversely affect the day-to-day functioning and survival of these affordable schools.

To justify the request for relaxation, the association noted that these schools are already actively implementing alternative safety measures. These precautions include the installation and regular maintenance of adequate fire extinguishers, the clear marking and provision of emergency exits, and the establishment of organized evacuation procedures for students and staff.

Based on these existing safety measures, the TRSMA urged Commissioner Ranganath to grant a reasonable exemption from the strict access-related guidelines for older schools built prior to the enactment of the current regulations. They specifically called for the introduction of special provisions tailored for private schools functioning in older municipal and local neighborhoods.