Indore: 23 coaching centers and commercial buildings sealed in the wake of Lucknow fire tragedy
In the wake of the tragic fire in a Lucknow building that claimed 15 lives, authorities in Indore have intensified safety inspections of coaching institutes and commercial buildings. On Tuesday, a joint team comprising the district administration, the municipal corporation, and the fire department sealed 23 premises for violating fire safety regulations.
18 coaching centers and libraries sealed
Of the 23 sealed premises, 18 were coaching centers and libraries, while the others included hotels, restaurants, and offices. During the inspections, officials discovered serious safety lapses at several locations. At the Catalyser coaching center in the Geeta Bhawan area, the emergency exit was found blocked, raising concerns about how students would evacuate in the event of a fire or other emergency.
The sealed premises included coaching centers such as Catalyser, Nucleum, Ramanujan, Aayam, and Ikrath, as well as the Makkhan Wala hotel.
Fire-fighting systems were non-functional in many buildings
Inspection teams also visited major commercial complexes like Ved Business Park, Apollo Avenue, and Apollo Arcade. In many buildings, fire-fighting systems were either non-functional, poorly maintained, or non-compliant with safety regulations.
Officials found emergency exits blocked in several multi-story buildings. Notices have been issued to the operators, and authorities have warned that strict action will continue against any institution failing to meet essential safety standards.
Relief Upon Implementing Fire Safety Measures
SDM Ghanshyam Dhangar stated that the administration has clarified that the objective of the sealing drive is not to permanently shut down the institutes, but to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Building operators must provide an undertaking assuring that they will install the necessary fire safety equipment and safety systems within 15 to 20 days.
Operators of the sealed buildings must submit documents related to the purchase of fire safety equipment and copies of orders to the administration. Permission to reopen the respective buildings and institutes will be granted only after the prescribed procedure is completed and safety standards are met.
Only 10 percent buildings in Gwalior have fire safety compliance
Additional Municipal Commissioner Munish Sikarwar stated that there are over 1,050 coaching centers in Gwalior, including approximately 50 large institutes. Only four institutes were found to possess valid fire safety NOCs and adequate safety arrangements. Most coaching centers lack basic facilities such as emergency exits, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and clear evacuation routes.
The Municipal Corporation's fire department stated that following the Lucknow incident, the safety arrangements of all coaching centers in the city will be re-evaluated. Institutes found violating safety standards will face action in accordance with the rules, including the issuance of notices and sealing of premises.