923 coaching centres in Delhi to undergo safety audit days after Lucknow inferno

After chairing a high-level meeting, Minister Ashish Sood directed departments to implement long-term safety measures and ensure coaching institutes comply with all regulatory and court-mandated guidelines.

In Short

• Government warns strict action against those violating fire safety norms
• Joint teams to inspect major coaching hubs across national capital
• New regulatory framework to strengthen accountability, safety compliance

Acting tough in the wake of the recent fire tragedy at an animation training centre in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives, the Delhi government has ordered a large-scale inspection of 923 coaching institutes across the national capital and warned of strict action against establishments found violating fire safety and building norms.

The decision was taken after a high-level review meeting chaired by Delhi Education, Higher Education and Technical Education Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday to assess safety arrangements, infrastructure and regulatory compliance at coaching centres operating in the city.

Making the government’s position clear, Sood said student safety and well-being would remain the top priority and no institute would be allowed to compromise on mandatory safety standards.

ADHERENCE TO GUIDELINES

Departments concerned have been directed to immediately implement comprehensive and long-term corrective measures and ensure compliance with all guidelines issued by authorities and courts.

As part of the exercise, the Delhi government has ordered a special inspection drive in major coaching hubs including Mukherjee Nagar, Rajendra Nagar and Katwaria Sarai – all of which are known for a dense concentration of coaching institutes and paying-guest (PG) accommodations in the city.

Joint inspection teams comprising the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will examine institutes for fire safety preparedness, adherence to building bylaws and other mandatory safety provisions.

Officials informed the meeting that a list of 923 coaching institutes already surveyed by the MCD will be shared with departments to facilitate coordinated inspections and targeted enforcement.

VIOLATORS TO BE PROSECUTED

The government has also instructed the Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police and other agencies to initiate stringent action against coaching institutes operating in violation of norms.

The MCD has been asked to submit daily action reports to the Education Minister’s office to ensure continuous monitoring of compliance efforts.

Alongside enforcement measures, the Directorate of Higher Education is preparing a comprehensive regulatory framework for coaching institutes aimed at strengthening accountability, improving safety standards and bringing greater transparency to their functioning.

WHY FIRE SAFETY AUDIT IS NECESSARY

The crackdown comes amid heightened concern over fire safety after the devastating blaze in Lucknow’s Aliganj area earlier this week.

At least 15 people, including students aged mostly between 20 and 24 years, were killed after a fire tore through a three-storey building housing an animation training centre and a pet shop.

Preliminary findings in the Lucknow case pointed to multiple safety concerns.

Investigators found the building had been approved for residential use but was allegedly being used commercially.

Reports also highlighted the absence of adequate smoke evacuation systems, lack of emergency exits and serious fire safety deficiencies that hampered evacuation and rescue operations.

The incident has triggered wider scrutiny of educational and commercial establishments across states, with Uttar Pradesh also announcing restrictions on coaching and commercial activity in basements and launching inspection drives.

LESSONS FROM MALVIYA NAGAR FIRE?

The renewed focus on inspections also follows another major fire tragedy in Delhi earlier this month. A blaze at a Bread & Breakfast facility in Malviya Nagar claimed 22 lives and exposed alleged lapses linked to unauthorised expansion, emergency preparedness and fire safety compliance.

Together, the recent incidents have intensified concerns over enforcement gaps and reinforced calls for stricter monitoring of buildings where large numbers of students and residents gather.

- Ends