Lack of open spaces turns Himachal's industrial hub into tinderbox

The absence of mandatory setbacks around industrial units in Baddi has turned the region into a high-risk zone for fires. Baddi, which houses over 90% of Himachal Pradesh’s industries, has repeatedly witnessed fires, which have been aggravated by a lack of open spaces around factories. Yet the warning signs have been ignored, allowing industrial expansion to outpace safety regulations.