"Any coaching institute without fire audit will face strict action": CM Rekha Gupta; gives one-month deadline
New Delhi, June 27
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said that coaching institutes in the national capital must comply with fire safety norms within one month, warning strict action, including sealing, against violators.
In a post shared on X, Gupta said the focus is on student safety and not the number of coaching centres operating in the city.
"One month. That is the deadline. The number of coaching institutes in Delhi is not the issue. The safety and security of our children is. Any coaching institute without a fire audit, mandatory safety equipment or prescribed safety measures will face strict action, including sealing, if it fails to comply within one month," Gupta wrote.
The Chief Minister also urged students to report unsafe institutions, assuring prompt action on complaints.
"Students are urged to report any unsafe coaching institute by message, email or phone. Every complaint will be acted upon. No compromise with the safety of our children," she added.
The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of safety standards in coaching institutes following recent fire incidents.
In Lucknow's Aliganj area, a fire broke out on June 22 in a three-storey building housing a gaming and animation studio, killing 15 people, including students, trainees and staff members.
Following the incident, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) launched a large-scale inspection drive across coaching centres. During inspections in Viraj Khand, Gomti Nagar, several safety lapses were found at an ALLEN coaching centre, after which students were evacuated, and the premises were sealed due to inadequate fire safety arrangements.
Officials also flagged a lack of trained fire response personnel and poor emergency preparedness at the institute.
In another inspection, Education Department officials reviewed safety compliance at coaching centres such as Aakash Institute in Gomti Nagar, examining documents, permits and emergency readiness. Authorities have stated that strict action will continue against institutions violating norms.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written to the Rajasthan government seeking immediate fire safety and structural audits of coaching institutes, warning of a possible repeat of such tragedies if corrective steps are not taken.
In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also directed a statewide fire safety audit of hospitals, coaching centres, malls, hotels and other public buildings, stressing zero tolerance for negligence and coordinated action by concerned departments.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm a student in a coaching institute in Laxmi Nagar. The building is so old and they have no fire extinguishers visible anywhere. We students are scared to speak up because we don't want to get thrown out of classes. But now with this direct helpline to report, maybe we can finally raise our voice. Safety over marks any day.
It's about time! I moved to Delhi for UPSC prep and was shocked at the cramped, unsafe conditions in many so-called "premium" institutes. They charge lakhs but can't install a fire alarm system or widen the staircase. Kudos to the CM for finally prioritizing students' lives over the coaching mafia's profits. Let's see how many get sealed.
But why only coaching institutes? What about hostels and paying guest accommodations where we outstation students live? Many of those buildings also have no fire exits and are packed like sardines. If they're serious about student safety, they should audit all student housing too. One step at a time I guess, but still concerned.
I work as a fire safety consultant in Delhi. The reality is that most coaching centres in old buildings like in Karol Bagh or Patel Nagar cannot be retrofitted for proper fire safety without major reconstruction. The one month deadline might be too short for genuine compliance. Govt should also provide guidelines and perhaps subsidize safety equipment. Otherwise, it'll just lead to temporary fixes and bribes again.
My sister is in Aakash Institute in Dwarka. They already held a fire drill last week after the CM's announcement. Parents are also
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.