Noida: The district administrations carried out fire safety audits of coaching institutes across the two NCR districts and sealed at least two centres, operating without mandatory registration and fire safety clearances, in Noida. In Ghaziabad, several coaching centres were found violating fire norms, prompting authorities to disconnect electricity supply at some non-compliant premises.The drive follows mounting concern over fire safety lapses at private educational institutes in the NCR, especially after Monday’s devastating fire at a commercial complex housing a coaching centre in Lucknow left 15 dead.In Noida, teams comprising the district inspector of schools (DIOS), chief fire officer and city magistrate inspected coaching institutes to verify registration records, fire safety arrangements and statutory clearances. Officials found that Om Education Coaching Centre in Sector 149 was operating without mandatory registration and a valid fire no-objection certificate (NOC). The institute was sealed immediately. Basu Coaching Centre in Sector 49 was also sealed after inspectors found it lacked valid registration documents.“During the inspection, serious irregularities were found at both institutes. They were operating without complying with mandatory requirements and were sealed with immediate effect,” a senior fire department official said.Two other institutes — Victor Coaching Centre in Sector 49 and Sai Vinayak Institute of Studies in Sector 149 — were found closed when inspection teams arrived. Authorities issued notices directing their managements to appear before the DIOS within two days and submit relevant documents.Officials warned that failure to furnish the required records or comply with legal requirements could lead to further action, including sealing of the premises.District authorities said inspections of coaching centres and educational institutions would continue across Noida to identify establishments operating without registration or failing to meet prescribed safety standards.In neighbouring Ghaziabad, the fire department carried out a parallel inspection drive. Teams inspected coaching institutes, libraries and other high-footfall establishments, focusing on the availability of fire-fighting equipment, emergency exits, electrical safety systems and evacuation preparedness.According to officials, 81 coaching institutes were inspected across the district. The inspections revealed several centres operating with significant deficiencies, including single staircases, the absence of dedicated fire exits and inadequate fire-fighting arrangements.“Several coaching centres were found violating fire safety norms. In some cases, electricity connections were disconnected in coordination with the concerned departments because of safety concerns,” chief fire officer Rahul Pal said.Notices were issued to 35 institutes found violating fire safety regulations, while several others were closed at the time inspection teams visited. Officials said coaching centre operators were instructed to keep exit routes free of obstructions, maintain fire-fighting equipment in working condition and ensure that evacuation procedures were clearly communicated to students and staff.
