Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The deadly fire at a commercial building in Lucknow, which claimed the lives of 15 people, has triggered a statewide scrutiny of safety arrangements at private coaching centres across Uttar Pradesh.
As thousands of students continue to flock to these institutes every year in the hope of cracking government jobs and competitive exams, a reality check across major education hubs hasrevealed alarming lapses — from missing fire equipment to questionable building safety standards.
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While administrations in several cities have launched inspection drives, many coaching centres appear unprepared for emergencies, raising questions over how institutions catering to large numbers of students have been allowed to function without adequate safety measures.
PRAYAGRAJ
Prayagraj, one of Uttar Pradesh’s biggest coaching destinations, has come under the scanner after inspections exposed serious concerns over safety arrangements at institutes operating in areas such as Katra, Allahpur, Salori, Govindpur and University Road.
Following the Lucknow tragedy, several coaching centres were found either locked, shut, or operating with reduced activity. Some institutes reportedly closed their classes and offices, while others avoided discussions over fire safety preparedness.
A reality check of coaching centres in the city revealed that safety compliance remains a major concern.
Even prominent institutes operating in Katra, including names such as Adda 247 and Azad IAS, were found lacking in basic fire preparedness measures.
Sources said several centres did not have adequate fire-fighting equipment, proper water supply arrangements, or infrastructure required to tackle a fire emergency.
City authorities also sealed Khan Global Classes, a coaching institute associated with educator Khan Sir, after finding that the building where the institute was operating had not been approved for commercial use.
Students were asked to leave the premises and the office was shut before the building was sealed. Authorities also pasted a notice outside the premises warning that any attempt to break the seal or resume operations without permission would invite legal action, including the registration of an FIR.
AGRA
In Agra, fire department teams visited institutes in areas including New Agra, Khandari, Dev Nagar and Bhagwan Talkies to assess compliance with safety norms.
The inspection revealed several shocking shortcomings. Many coaching centres were found operating without proper emergency exits, fire alarm systems, smoke extraction arrangements and other mandatory safety features.
The biggest concern emerged during checks of fire extinguishers installed inside institutes. Several extinguishers were found expired, damaged or completely non-functional.
In one case, when officials examined an extinguisher at a coaching centre, it was found that the equipment itself was faulty.
A video from the inspection went viral on social media after New Agra Police Station Head Nishamak Tyagi was seen telling the coaching operator that the extinguisher was so ineffective that it “would not even extinguish a matchstick”, let alone control a major fire.
Fire officials said notices would be issued to centres violating safety norms and further action, including sealing, would follow if deficiencies were not corrected.
FIROZABAD
In Firozabad, a team led by City Magistrate Vinod Kumar Pandey and Chief Fire Officer Satendra Pandey inspected several locations, including one of the city’s largest coaching centres.
During the inspection, officials found irregularities and sealed the institute.
Speaking about the action, Pandey said inspections were being carried out across the city and no violations would be ignored. He added that centres found violating safety standards would face strict action, including sealing.
The administration has warned coaching operators that student safety cannot be compromised and compliance with norms would be mandatory.
KANPUR
The Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) took action against centres allegedly operating in violation of building regulations and safety standards. Around 35 coaching institutes were reportedly sealed during the drive.
The Kakadeo area, known as one of Kanpur’s biggest coaching hubs, witnessed intense inspection activity.
During the sealing drive at Allen Coaching Centre, the institute management claimed that all documents were complete and suggested that the sealing action was temporary.
However, KDA Secretary Abhay Pandey rejected the claim, saying that no further investigation was required and that action was being taken based on violations found during inspections.
VARANASI
In Varanasi, a joint team of the Fire Service, Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) and police administration carried out an inspection drive in Durga Kund — one of the city’s biggest coaching hubs.
The inspection exposed serious safety lapses at some well-known coaching centres, with officials finding inflammable materials and fire hazards inside buildings where hundreds of students prepare for competitive examinations.
During the inspection of JRS Coaching, which prepares students for medical and engineering entrance examinations, officials found a large generator, diesel drums, petrol-filled two-wheelers and piles of scrap wooden furniture stored in the basement of the building.
The basement, instead of being used as a safe utility space, had turned into a potential fire hazard zone.
Officials warned that a single spark could have triggered a major disaster, with flames quickly spreading through the building.
According to officials, a formal notice would be issued, and strict action would follow if the institute failed to correct the violations.
At another prominent coaching institute, Aakash Institute, officials found several safety-related shortcomings.
The team found narrow entry and exit passages, loose electrical wires, improperly placed electric meters and equipment near exit points. Officials also raised questions over the condition of fire extinguishers, with the team noting that essential details, including dates, were missing.
The inspection also revealed a major building violation — it did not have an approved map from the authority. Following the violation, the VDA ordered the sealing of the entire building.
– Ends
(Inputs by Simer Chawla, Nitin Upadhayay, Anand Raj, Roushan Kumar and Sudhir Sharma)
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
