The devastating fire at a coaching institute building in Lucknow's Aliganj, which claimed 15 lives, has now triggered a sweeping safety crackdown across Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called the tragedy a major lesson for the state and has ordered officials to ensure that nothing like it ever happens again.
At a meeting with senior government officials on Tuesday, the Chief Minister described Monday's painful incident as a lesson for the entire state. He stressed that governance, administration and the public must now work together to make sure fire safety standards are actually followed, so that no other family has to suffer such a loss.
A Mission-Mode Audit Across the State
The Chief Minister has ordered a wide-ranging audit of fire safety measures to be carried out across the state in mission mode. He said every district must inspect hospitals, nursing homes, medical colleges, coaching institutes, shopping malls, government buildings and other commercial establishments, and confirm that all the necessary safety standards are being met.
Statewide Drive on Coaching Centres, Over 100 Sealed
Acting on the Chief Minister's directive, a major drive to inspect coaching institutes was launched across the state. Joint teams from the administration, development authorities and fire services carried out inspections together, and sealed more than 100 institutes where safety norms were found to be ignored.
According to a statement from the state government, these joint teams closely examined whether rules and safety arrangements were being followed at coaching centres. The action was carried out in several cities including Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Meerut and Agra. Wherever irregularities surfaced, steps were taken against more than 100 coaching institutes.
Demolition Notice on the Building Where the Fire Broke Out
Meanwhile, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has pasted a notice on the building where the fire took place. The notice states bluntly that if a satisfactory response to the lapses is not received, bulldozers will be used to bring the building down. In the words of the notice, "If the LDA does not receive a satisfactory reply, action to demolish the building using a bulldozer will be initiated."
The fierce blaze at this very coaching institute in Aliganj on 22 June killed 15 people. The LDA has asked the building's owners to respond within 15 days.
A Residential Map, But Commercial Use
In its notice, the LDA has questioned why the building's plan was sanctioned for residential use while the premises were actually being used commercially. It has also found several construction deviations that go against the approved plan. On this basis, action has been started under Section 27(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973.
The LDA has directed the building owners to appear before the competent authority within 15 days and present their case. If a satisfactory reply and supporting evidence are not provided, strict action including demolition will be carried out as per the rules.
