Noida: Thirteen coaching centres in the city face closure after education department officials found them operating without mandatory registration and flagged fire safety lapses and inadequate basic facilities. The action followed a month-long inspection drive triggered by complaints from parents and heightened safety concerns after a June 22 fire at a Lucknow coaching centre, which claimed the lives of 15 students.Officials said operators were asked to explain the violations and appear before the district inspector of schools with the required registration fee and valid documents. “They must complete registration and other mandatory formalities before resuming operations,” an official said.The centres facing action include Rai Coaching Classes, Basu Education Centre, Eklavya Institute of Education and ASL Institute of Education of Computer in Barola, Excellent Education Hub, Mission Tutorials BDS, Kumar Institute, Skill Academy Computer Classes, Aim Coaching Centre and Folks Point Library. Vidya Mandir Classes at Paras Mall in Sector 133, Mark Bin Coaching Centre and Krishna Coaching Centre are also among those served notices.Under UP Coaching Regulation Act, 2002, coaching institutes must be registered and obtain a fire certificate from the competent authority, besides making necessary safety arrangements for students.Officials said inspections found inadequate fire-safety measures, poor basic facilities and centres operating without registration. So far, notices have been issued to 24 coaching centres found operating illegally in the district.“Action will continue against coaching centres operating illegally. If centres lack adequate fire safety and other security measures, they will be closed,” said Chandra Shekhar, DIOS, Noida.
