UP govt launches special drive against illegal coaching centres after Lucknow fire incident

After the fire incident in Lucknow, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a special drive to strengthen the regulation of coaching institutes operating across the state and against coaching centres running illegally. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that a fire safety audit will be done in mission mode throughout the state, and any building should be used for the purpose for which it is approved. Operating a coaching center, nursing home, or other commercial activity in the basement is not acceptable under any circumstances.

Aakashwani correspondent reports that all District Magistrates have been directed to conduct a comprehensive survey of all coaching institutes operating in their respective districts and prepare a list. The inspection includes building arrangements, fire safety, electrical safety and other necessary facilities. Regular inspections are also being carried out in registered institutions to review student safety, basic facilities and administrative arrangements.

Meanwhile, the two-member Special Investigation Team visited the fire incident site yesterday. The team subsequently met the injured victims admitted to KGMU and gathered information from them regarding the incident. A team from the Uttar Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) also collected crucial evidence from the site.

SIT member and ADG of UP Police Praveen Kumar said that based on the evidence, several individuals would be questioned.

He added that the responsibilities of every department connected to the incident had been brought within the scope of the investigation. Information would also be obtained from the fire victims. Thereafter, the investigation report would be submitted to the government within the prescribed timeline.