After Lucknow Fire Tragedy, UP Government Launches Statewide Crackdown; 48 Coaching Centres Sealed

Lucknow: (RNI) In the wake of the devastating fire at a coaching and animation centre in Lucknow's Aliganj area, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a statewide safety enforcement drive, resulting in the sealing of nearly 48 coaching institutes for alleged violations of building, fire safety and regulatory norms.

As the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its probe into the tragedy that claimed 15 lives, joint teams comprising police, district administration, development authorities and fire department officials carried out inspections at coaching centres, hotels and commercial establishments across multiple districts, including Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Bareilly, Prayagraj, Noida, Farrukhabad, Bulandshahr, Bijnore, Firozabad, Hapur and Varanasi.

The largest action was reported in Kanpur, where the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) sealed 30 coaching institutes after inspections allegedly revealed serious violations of building and safety regulations. Among the institutes sealed were Physics Wallah, Workspace, Mahendraraj and Sanjeev Rathore Chemistry. The crackdown comes amid heightened concern following the deaths of two young animation artists from Kanpur in the Lucknow fire.

In Varanasi, the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) sealed two coaching centres, including Allen Coaching Centre. Officials stated that the buildings did not conform to approved construction standards and lacked sanctioned building plans.

In Mathura, authorities sealed the Aakash Institute after inspectors found classrooms partitioned with plywood and fire safety boxes lying empty. The institute caters to around 600 students preparing for NEET and JEE examinations.

In Gautam Buddh Nagar, a joint team comprising the District Inspector of Schools, City Magistrate and Fire Department sealed Om Coaching Centre in Sector 104. Officials said the institute lacked mandatory departmental registration and a Fire Department No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Meanwhile, inspections in Meerut revealed that several coaching centres on PL Sharma Road were operating with expired fire extinguishers. In Farrukhabad, joint teams from the administration, police and Fire Department inspected coaching institutes and commercial buildings for compliance with safety norms.

In Firozabad, authorities inspected around a dozen coaching centres and hotels, sealing one hotel after detecting serious irregularities. Similar inspections were conducted in Bulandshahr, where officials examined 12 coaching institutes to assess compliance with fire and safety regulations.

Officials said the statewide inspection drive will continue in the coming days, with strict action to be taken against institutions found compromising public safety. The crackdown reflects the government's renewed focus on enforcing fire safety standards and regulatory compliance in educational and commercial establishments following one of the state's deadliest coaching-centre disasters.