UP Govt orders audit of various coaching centres that are illegally constructed
Lucknow: The devastating fire that engulfed a commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on June 22, claiming 15 lives and injuring others, has triggered one of the most extensive fire safety reviews undertaken in Uttar Pradesh in recent years. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a statewide fire safety audit, constituted district-level inspection teams and initiated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident.
The authorities came into action and launched a statewide safety enforcement drive across Uttar Pradesh, inspecting the hotels, coaching institutes, and commercial establishments. So far, around 48 coaching institutes have been sealed for alleged violation of fire safety, building and registration norms including 30 in Kanpur, two each in Varanasi and Noida, 5 in Hapur, and 1 in Mathura. The inspection teams found various issues like missing fire NOCs, expired extinguishers, unapproved building plans and inadequate safety infrastructure. As part of ongoing safety audit drive, the inspection was conducted in several districts including Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Bareilly, Prayagraj, Noida, Farrukhabad, Bulandshahr, Bijnore, Firozabad, Hapur and Varanasi.
During a high-level review meeting on June 23, CM Yogi instructed officials to launch the fire audit campaign in public interest and ensure that citizens are not inconvenienced or harassed during the process. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Director General of Police, Director General of Fire Services, Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) and representatives of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
CM Yogi directed the formation of special inspection teams in every district to conduct a comprehensive fire safety audit of hospitals, nursing homes, medical colleges, coaching institutions, shopping malls, government buildings and other commercial establishments. He said that the campaign would be conducted in the public interest and that citizens should not be subjected to unnecessary inconvenience during inspections. CM Yogi instructed authorities to ensure proper registration of coaching institutions and directed that Fire Department No Objection Certificates (NOCs) be prominently displayed in commercial premises. He also ordered strict verification of compliance with building safety norms and emergency preparedness standards.
One of the key concerns highlighted during the review was the misuse of buildings. The Chief Minister Yogi categorically mentioned that basements should not be used for commercial activities and that buildings must only be utilised according to the approved land use category of the area. He further directed officials to prevent commercial operations from being run in residential buildings in violation of regulations.
Electrical safety emerged as another major focus area. Authorities have been directed to check the electrical load of commercial buildings and identify places where wiring, electrical systems or power usage do not meet safety standards. The Chief Minister directed that immediate action be taken wherever violations are detected, recognising that electrical faults remain one of the leading causes of urban fire incidents.
The response time of emergency services also came under review. Officials informed the Chief Minister that 14 ambulances were dispatched immediately after information about the fire was received. While acknowledging the efforts of emergency responders, he directed all concerned agencies to further reduce response times and make maximum use of available resources, technology and manpower.
The Health Department has been instructed to conduct a priority-based fire safety audit of all government and private hospitals, medical colleges and healthcare institutions across the state. Given the challenges associated with evacuating patients during emergencies, authorities have been asked to ensure that healthcare facilities maintain the highest levels of preparedness.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the preparedness of the Fire Services Department in light of a recent fire tragedy in Delhi. He directed officials to expedite the procurement of modern firefighting equipment, rescue tools and advanced technological systems to strengthen the state’s emergency response capabilities.
According to information presented during the meeting, Uttar Pradesh currently operates 326 permanent fire stations across 296 tehsils. Additionally, 26 newly constructed fire stations are ready for inauguration, while construction of another 25 stations is underway.
Beyond immediate enforcement measures, the government is expected to focus on long-term fire safety reforms. Officials are likely to encourage regular mock drills, evacuation exercises, staff training programmes and public awareness campaigns aimed at improving preparedness. Experts believe that awareness, routine inspections and strict compliance can significantly reduce casualties during emergencies.
Meanwhile, the SIT probe ordered by the Yogi government will examine the exact cause of the fire, identify responsibility for safety lapses and determine whether regulatory failures contributed to the scale of the tragedy. Investigators will also examine building approvals, fire clearances, occupancy patterns and compliance with safety standards.
The fire broke out in a multi-storey building housing commercial establishments, including a gaming and animation studio and educational facilities. Within minutes, thick smoke spread through the structure, trapping multiple young professionals, students and trainees inside. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, but the intensity of the blaze and the dense smoke complicated evacuation efforts.
According to official reports, 15 people lost their lives in the incident, making it one of the deadliest fire accidents in Lucknow in recent years. Several victims were in their twenties and had been working or training inside the building when the fire erupted. 9 others sustained injuries, with some requiring intensive medical care. Among those who died were young professionals and aspiring students whose lives were cut short unexpectedly. Reports also highlighted the death of an engaged couple whose wedding preparations were underway, adding another layer of heartbreak to the incident.
The Uttar Pradesh Police have registered a case against multiple individuals in connection with the tragedy. Four people (Ram Krishna Upadhyay, Virendra Prasad Shukla, Tushar Krishna Jaiswal and Suresh Kumar Sahu) have been arrested so far, while several others remain under investigation. Those arrested are accused of negligence, violations of fire safety regulations and other offences under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act. Six officials of the LDA have been suspended and 14 more may face action.
The regulatory history of the building has become a key area of investigation. According to media reports, the structure had previously come under scrutiny for alleged unauthorized construction and deviations from approved building norms. Reports indicate that a demolition notice was issued by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) in 2016, during the Samajwadi Party government, after concerns were raised regarding the building’s compliance with development regulations.
However, despite the notice, the building continued to remain operational in the following years. Investigators are now examining why the proposed action did not result in a permanent resolution and whether enforcement measures were diluted, delayed or subsequently withdrawn. The SIT will review official records, inspection reports and decisions taken by authorities over the years to find out whether any regulatory lapses allowed safety risks to continue.
At the same time, officials have indicated that the investigation will not be limited to past administrations. Authorities are also examining whether monitoring and enforcement mechanisms in recent years were adequate and whether any violations went undetected despite inspections. The suspension of four officials indicates that the Yogi government is examining accountability at multiple levels as part of the ongoing investigation.
As Uttar Pradesh launches its statewide fire safety audit, the Aliganj tragedy has become a reminder. The coming weeks are likely to witness intensified inspections, legal action against violators and a push to strengthen safety standards across public and commercial establishments. For the families who lost their loved ones, the main demand is accountability and steps to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
