UP Cracks Down on Coaching Centres After Lucknow Fire

• Uttar Pradesh launched a statewide inspection drive after the deadly Aliganj fire in Lucknow.
• Several coaching centres, libraries, hotels and guest houses were sealed for safety violations.
• Authorities checked fire safety systems, building approvals, emergency exits and registrations.
• The government said strict enforcement will continue to prevent similar tragedies.

GG News Bureau
Lucknow, 25th June: The Uttar Pradesh government has intensified inspections of coaching centres, libraries and other educational institutions across the state following the Aliganj fire tragedy in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives earlier this week.

Joint teams comprising officials from the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), fire department, police, electricity department and district administration carried out inspections in multiple districts to check compliance with fire safety norms and building regulations.

In Lucknow, authorities sealed a major coaching institute in Viraj Khand, Gomti Nagar, after inspectors found multiple violations, including encroachment in the setback area, deviations from the approved building plan and unsafe structural layouts that could obstruct evacuation during emergencies.

LDA zonal in-charge Devansh Trivedi said the inspection also revealed deficiencies in fire-fighting equipment and emergency preparedness, prompting immediate sealing of the premises.

Officials said at least six coaching institutes in the Aliganj-Kapoorthala area were sealed during the drive. Notices were issued to institutions that failed to produce approved building plans and mandatory documents, directing them to comply with fire safety regulations or face further action.

In Bahraich, Chief Fire Officer Vishal Ramanuj Gaur said joint teams conducted surprise inspections on the directions of District Magistrate Akshay Tripathi. Seven libraries were found closed, while several coaching centres either remained shut or were vacated until compliance with safety norms is ensured.

Authorities examined emergency exits, fire-fighting systems, fire safety registrations, approved building maps, coaching licences and commercial-use permissions for buildings operating educational institutions.

In Mathura, district authorities sealed more than two dozen establishments, including six coaching centres, four libraries, two hotels and 16 guest houses in Vrindavan, for operating without adequate fire safety measures, approved building plans or mandatory registrations.

Officials said many institutions were functioning from basements and underground premises without proper safeguards. Only 57 of nearly 300 coaching centres in Mathura are currently registered, according to the administration.

Aligarh district administration constituted a joint committee to inspect schools, coaching centres, libraries, hospitals, malls, cinema halls and multi-storey buildings for compliance with fire safety norms.

In Jalaun, more than a dozen coaching institutes in Orai were sealed after inspections found them operating without mandatory permissions, emergency exits and fire safety systems.

District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Pandey said five joint teams had been formed to inspect coaching institutes and hospitals, adding that strict action would continue against establishments violating safety norms or operating illegally from basement premises.

In Gautam Buddha Nagar, authorities sealed nine coaching institutes for lacking valid registrations and one hotel for inadequate fire safety arrangements. Notices were also issued to 12 other institutions over safety deficiencies.

Meanwhile, Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandad directed strict enforcement of fire safety standards in high-rise buildings, malls, hospitals, schools, coaching centres and industrial units, warning that violations would attract sealing and legal action.

Officials across Uttar Pradesh said the statewide enforcement drive would continue over the coming days to ensure compliance with safety regulations and prevent a recurrence of incidents like the Aliganj fire tragedy.