Authorities in Delhi-NCR launched a crackdown on establishments violating fire safety norms on Tuesday, sealing around 60 premises across Noida and Ghaziabad, a day after a devastating fire at a coaching institute in Lucknow’s Aliganj area claimed 15 lives.
Most of the sealed establishments were coaching centres. Officials said two coaching institutes in Noida were shut, while 56 establishments in Ghaziabad, including coaching centres, play schools and dispensaries, were sealed for failing to comply with mandatory fire safety regulations, Hindustan Times reported.
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According to the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA), a district-wide
survey has identified 206 establishments operating without fire no-objection certificates (NOCs).
“During Tuesday’s drive, 56 violating establishments were sealed because they could not produce a fire NOC. Furthermore, we are sending communication to the fire department to initiate action as per fire safety norms. We are only checking only fire NOCs,” said GDA media coordinator Rudresh Shukla, while speaking to HT.
In Noida, officials sealed Om Education Coaching Centre in Sector 149 after finding it was operating without registration or a fire safety certificate. Another coaching institute in Sector 49 was also sealed for running without a valid licence, Hindustan Times reported.
Both institutes have been directed to appear before the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) within two days and submit the required records.
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“If the records are not submitted within the stipulated period or the required statutory formalities are not found to be complete, sealing action will also be taken as per rules,” the Gautam Budh Nagar administration said in a statement.
Gautam Budh Nagar DIOS Chandra Shekhar said inspections would continue across the district.
“The campaign against coaching institutes operating without valid registration or mandatory safety standards will continue in the district,” he said, reported Hindustan Times.
Officials in Ghaziabad said recommendations would be sent to the district administration for further action wherever coaching centres are found violating fire safety norms.
15 Killed, Nine Injured In Lucknow Fire Incident
At least 15 people were killed, and nine others sustained injuries after a massive fire engulfed a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday.
The building housed an animation training institute and a pet shop, with most of the victims reported to be young students.
The blaze erupted at around 3 pm in a three-storey commercial building on Usha Mehta Marg in Lucknow’s Purania area, sending thick clouds of smoke billowing into the air and sparking panic in the neighbourhood.
Several students were trapped on the second floor of the animation training institute as the fire rapidly spread through the building. According to eyewitnesses, some people were seen jumping from the building in a desperate attempt to escape the flames.
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