Gujarat: Coaching centres sealed over fire safety concerns in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, June 23
Fire safety inspections of coaching centres and educational institutions in Ahmedabad have been stepped up in the wake of the coaching centre fire incident in Lucknow, which claimed at least 15 lives and raised concerns over compliance with fire safety norms in educational buildings across the country.
The incident in Lucknow occurred on Monday in the Aliganj area, where a fire broke out in a three-storey commercial building housing a coaching institute and other commercial establishments.
According to reports, the blaze spread rapidly through the structure, trapping students inside and leading to panic and chaotic attempts to escape, including jumping from windows.
Rescue teams later recovered multiple bodies from the site, and several injured persons were admitted to the hospital.
Following the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh authorities ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the circumstances of the fire, along with action against alleged violations of safety and building regulations.
State authorities also initiated a wider crackdown on coaching centres and educational establishments across several districts, with inspections and sealing actions reported in multiple locations.
Against this backdrop, Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services carried out a targeted inspection drive across tuition classes, coaching institutes, computer education centres and other educational institutions in the city.
Officials said the campaign was aimed at checking basic fire safety arrangements, including fire extinguishers, emergency exits, passageways, electrical safety systems and other primary safeguards, including in units not formally required to hold fire safety certificates.
The inspection drive was conducted on Tuesday across the North-West Zone, where various fire stations examined multiple institutions for compliance. Authorities issued notices to several establishments after identifying deficiencies in fire safety arrangements.
The institutions that received notices included Aayatan Academy, P.M. Bhatt Tuition Class, Sigma Novo Classes, Future Path Education, Ahuja Education, G-Tech Computer Education, Dwarkesh Education Institute, Yathashakti Education Institute, J.K. Shah Coaching Institute in Navrangpura, Rajshree Study Centre in Naranpura, Allen Career Institute on Sindhu Bhavan Road in Thaltej, Aakash Educational Services in Thaltej, Unacademy near Lady Talav in Thaltej, Amor Design Institute in Vastrapur, Yash Classes at Mansi Cross Road, Paresh J. Salot Classes and Aloha Classes in Saman Complex, Mansi Cross Road.
During the same inspection drive, officials found that Navkar Digital Institute's fire safety certificate had expired. The unit was subsequently sealed in accordance with applicable provisions.
Fire officials said the drive was part of intensified preventive measures to ensure minimum safety standards in educational spaces with high student footfall.
Authorities have urged all institutions to maintain functional fire safety equipment, clear evacuation routes and valid compliance documentation, stating that further enforcement action will continue against establishments found in violation of regulations.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I teach at a small coaching centre in Bangalore and honestly, we barely have basic fire equipment. The fees parents pay are high but owners cut corners everywhere. It's sad that it takes a disaster for authorities to wake up. Jalwa hai safety ka? Not really. 😔
While some institutions will comply, many will just bribe inspectors and carry on as usual. That's the ground reality in Gujarat too, bhai. The sealing of Navkar Digital Institute is a good step—but how many others had expired certificates that were conveniently overlooked? Need systemic change, not just red alerts after tragedies.
My niece studies at one of the institutes listed here in Navrangpura. She told me they don't even have a proper emergency exit—just one iron staircase that gets blocked during peak hours. I'm glad Ahmedabad fire department is finally checking things. Sabko ladkiyon aur bacchon ki safety ke baare mein sochna chahiye, profit nahi pehle.
Valid point but the state also needs to provide clear guidelines and timelines for smaller tuition classes to comply. Many of these single-teacher operations don't have the budget for fire safety certificates—it's not all greed, sometimes it's lack of awareness. Instead of just sealing, the government should offer affordable safety audits. 💡
This is a much-needed move. In the US, fire drills and safety audits are routine in educational buildings. Glad to see Indian authorities taking proactive steps after Lucknow. Hope the inspections cover other cities too—Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad—all have similar unsafe coaching hubs
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