In the wake of a devastating fire in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives, including several students, the Delhi government has ordered a large-scale inspection of coaching institutes across the national capital to ensure compliance with fire safety and building regulations.
Education Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday directed multiple agencies to launch a special inspection drive covering 923 coaching centres operating in Delhi. The move comes just two days after the deadly blaze in a Lucknow building that housed an animation institute along with other establishments.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns over safety standards at educational and coaching facilities, particularly those operating in densely populated commercial buildings.
Major Coaching Hubs To Be Inspected
The inspection drive will focus on some of Delhi’s biggest coaching clusters, including:
- Mukherjee Nagar
- Rajendra Nagar
- Katwaria Sarai
- Other prominent coaching centre zones across the city
The inspections will be conducted jointly by agencies including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
According to an official statement, inspection teams will verify whether coaching institutes comply with:
- Fire safety regulations
- Building safety norms
- Emergency evacuation requirements
- Other mandatory operational guidelines
The MCD has been directed to provide details of the 923 coaching centres already surveyed across Delhi to facilitate coordinated inspections and enforcement.
Strict Action Against Violators
The Delhi government has made it clear that institutions found violating safety standards will face action.
Ashish Sood instructed the Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police and other concerned departments to initiate proceedings against coaching centres that fail to meet prescribed norms or operate in violation of existing regulations.
Authorities have also been asked to submit daily action-taken reports to the minister’s office detailing compliance checks, violations detected and enforcement measures taken.
High-Level Meeting Reviews Coaching Centre Safety
The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting attended by officials from:
- Home Department
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
- Urban Development Department
- Delhi Fire Service
- Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)
- Directorate of Higher Education
During the meeting, officials reviewed existing safety mechanisms, infrastructure standards and regulatory provisions governing coaching institutes across the capital.
The discussion focused on identifying gaps in enforcement and strengthening oversight mechanisms to prevent incidents similar to the Lucknow tragedy.
New Regulatory Framework Being Prepared
The Delhi government is also working on a comprehensive regulatory framework for coaching institutes.
According to officials, the Directorate of Higher Education has been tasked with preparing guidelines aimed at:
- Addressing regulatory loopholes
- Strengthening accountability among coaching operators
- Improving safety standards
- Creating a transparent monitoring system
- Enhancing student welfare and protection
The framework is expected to introduce clearer compliance requirements and stronger oversight of coaching institutions operating in the city.
Student Safety Is Top Priority: Ashish Sood
Reiterating the government’s stance, Education Minister Ashish Sood said student safety would remain the highest priority and warned coaching centres against negligence.
“The safety and welfare of students is our highest priority. Any negligence affecting student safety will not be tolerated,” the minister said.
He further stressed that all coaching institutes must strictly adhere to safety protocols and guidelines issued by government authorities and courts from time to time.
Lucknow Fire Triggers Nationwide Safety Concerns
The inspection drive comes amid growing concerns over fire safety in educational institutions after the fatal Lucknow blaze.
The fire broke out in a commercial building that housed an animation centre and other establishments, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. A significant number of the victims were students, prompting governments and civic authorities across the country to reassess safety compliance in educational facilities.
The Delhi government’s action is being seen as a preventive measure aimed at ensuring that coaching institutes, many of which operate in crowded buildings, maintain adequate fire safety infrastructure and emergency preparedness measures.