India, July 29 -- LUCKNOW In a move to prevent fire tragedies and strengthen public safety, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has made fire safety compliance mandatory before approving building maps, introducing stricter norms for commercial establishments, institutions and public-use buildings across the city.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over fire incidents in commercial buildings and shifts the responsibility of ensuring fire safety to the planning stage itself, instead of after construction.

Earlier, fire NoC was only required for establishments over 15 metres of height.

Now, officials have been directed not to approve building maps for any commercial or public-use building that falls under the fire no-objection c...