In a swift and decisive action following the devastating Lucknow fire, authorities across Noida and Ghaziabad have sealed nearly 60 establishments, primarily coaching centres, citing egregious fire safety violations. This sweeping enforcement drive, impacting a myriad of educational and commercial premises, underscores a renewed, urgent focus on public safety.
The crackdown, initiated just a day after a tragic inferno claimed 15 lives at a Lucknow coaching institute, saw two coaching centres shut in Noida and a staggering 56 premises—including coaching centres, play schools, and even dispensaries—sealed in Ghaziabad for failing to comply with mandatory fire safety regulations.
Mounting Concerns Over Fire Safety Violations
Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) officials revealed a shocking district-wide survey has identified 206 establishments operating sans the mandatory fire no-objection certificates (NOCs). “During Tuesday’s drive, 56 violating establishments were sealed because they could not produce a fire NOC,” stated GDA media coordinator Rudresh Shukla. He added, “Furthermore, we are sending communication to the fire department to initiate action as per fire safety norms. We are only checking fire NOCs.”
In Noida, the Om Education Coaching Centre in Sector 149 faced immediate closure for lacking both registration and a crucial fire safety certificate. Another institute in Sector 49 was similarly sealed for operating without a valid license. Both institutions have been given a strict two-day ultimatum to present their records to the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), or face further penalties.
Chandra Shekhar, Gautam Budh Nagar DIOS, affirmed the unyielding commitment to public safety. “The campaign against coaching institutes operating without valid registration or mandatory safety standards will continue across the district,” he declared, signaling no respite for those flouting basic safety measures. The widespread nature of these fire safety violations across two major NCR cities paints a grim picture of negligence.
This concerted effort underscores the critical need for adherence to rigorous national safety standards to prevent future catastrophes. Officials in Ghaziabad confirmed recommendations would be forwarded to the district administration for further punitive action wherever coaching centres are found to be violating crucial safety protocols.
The impetus for this large-scale enforcement stems from the horrific incident in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, where a three-storey commercial building, housing an animation training institute and a pet shop, became a death trap. Eyewitnesses described desperate students leaping from windows as the inferno consumed the structure, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of ignored warnings. Such unchecked fire safety violations cannot be tolerated when lives are at stake.
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