The devastating fire in Lucknow that claimed the lives of 15 young students has intensified concerns over fire safety standards at educational institutions nationwide. In Nagpur, recent inspections have revealed an alarming situation, with 103 buildings housing coaching centres found to be unsafe and several others facing the possibility of electricity and water supply disconnection for failing to comply with mandatory fire safety regulations.
The findings have raised serious concerns about the safety of thousands of students attending coaching institutes that prepare candidates for competitive examinations such as IIT-JEE, NEET and MHT-CET.
The issue came into sharper focus following a fire incident at Bansal Pathshala on Mount Road in Sadar on May 6. Nearly 150 students escaped unharmed after a fire broke out in an electricity meter unit on the first floor of a two-storey commercial building. Although no injuries were reported, the incident exposed significant gaps in fire preparedness and emergency response mechanisms in educational establishments operating from commercial complexes and converted residential buildings.
According to data from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Fire and Emergency Services Department, inspections were conducted at 141 buildings housing coaching classes up to June 23. Of these, 103 were found lacking essential firefighting and life safety measures and were subsequently declared unsafe. Proceedings have been initiated against them under Section 8(1) of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006.
The civic body’s enforcement campaign has also targeted establishments that failed to comply despite repeated notices. Action under Section 8(2)(a) of the Act has been initiated against 40 coaching institutes, a provision that allows authorities to seek disconnection of electricity and water supply to non-compliant premises.
Chief Fire Officer Tushar Barahate said notices had been issued to building owners and occupants, directing them to install firefighting equipment and implement prescribed life safety measures within a specified timeframe. “Despite repeated notices and enforcement measures, compliance has remained poor,” Barahate said. The matter has also taken a legal dimension. Official records indicate that 15 cases have been referred to Nagpur city police for registration of FIRs under Section 36 of the Act, which provides for penal action against violations of fire safety norms.
Additionally, documents relating to 60 coaching institutes have been forwarded to zonal offices for action over the alleged misuse of sanctioned building plans. Inspections reportedly found several instances where residential properties were being used commercially as coaching centres without the required permissions. Despite extensive inspections and repeated warnings, only 37 coaching institutes have submitted the mandatory ‘A’ certificate confirming compliance with firefighting and life safety requirements.
Officials said the misuse of sanctioned building plans continues to be a major challenge. While the Fire Department has repeatedly alerted Assistant Municipal Commissioners about such violations, action against unauthorised building use largely falls under the jurisdiction of town planning authorities.
With thousands of students attending coaching classes daily, both the Lucknow tragedy and the recent Sadar fire incident have highlighted the dangers posed by inadequate fire safety measures. The latest inspection findings have renewed calls for strict enforcement and corrective action, as authorities face mounting pressure to eliminate potential hazards before a major disaster occurs.
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