India, June 24 -- Only 101 of the 898 cooperative group housing societies (CGHS) in Delhi - or barely one in nine - have a valid fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC), according to data from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS).

An additional 73 societies have applied for new licences or renewals, but these have been put on hold after inspections revealed major "safety shortcomings", according to a DFS report on the matter.

DFS officials said that despite repeated warnings, most societies have either failed to apply for fire safety clearance or allowed their certifications to lapse. The officials added that "majority" of the remaining 724 societies have never applied for a fire safety certificate at all.

Cooperative group housing societi...