After Lucknow Tragedy, Jaipur Cracks Down Hard on Coaching Centres and Seals 14

Following the deadly fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives , the Jaipur administration has intensified action against fire safety violations in coaching institutes and libraries , sealing 14 establishments and issuing notices to over 24 others.

The crackdown comes amid growing concerns over student safety in densely packed coaching hubs , where multiple centres operate in commercial buildings with limited safety infrastructure. Teams from the municipal corporation and police conducted inspections across Jaipur to assess compliance with mandatory fire safety norms.

Officials checked for functional firefighting equipment, accessible emergency exits, valid fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) , and overall building preparedness for emergencies. Several institutes were found operating with expired or non-functional safety systems , prompting immediate sealing action.

Chief Fire Officer Devendra Meena said that since June 4, nearly 600 units in the Heritage area have been issued notices, including around 150 coaching institutes and libraries . Authorities noted that multiple establishments failed to meet basic fire safety requirements, triggering enforcement measures.

Officials emphasised that the drive is a preventive safety measure , not merely punitive action. However, experts and administrators widely acknowledge that such enforcement must not remain reactive after tragedies , but should become a regular and systematic process across the country .

Cities like Hyderabad and other major urban centres with high concentrations of coaching institutes face similar risks, where overcrowding, inadequate exits, and weak compliance often go unchecked. Safety experts suggest that sustained improvement requires a combination of routine inspections, surprise audits, strict penalties, and timely renewal of fire safety certifications .

They also stress the need for stronger oversight during the building approval stage , ensuring that structures meet fire safety norms before coaching centres begin operations. Without institutional accountability and continuous monitoring, enforcement drives risk becoming temporary responses rather than lasting solutions.

Further inspections are underway in Jaipur, with officials indicating that additional action is likely as compliance checks continue across educational and commercial establishments.