Lucknow: In the aftermath of the devastating Aliganj fire that claimed 15 lives and left several injured, a TOI reality check found glaring lapses in fire safety measures across prominent coaching centres in Indiranagar and Gomtinagar areas of the city on Wednesday.A similar exercise was carried out by TOI on Monday in coaching clusters in Kapoorthala, IT Crossing, Sapru Marg and Shahnajaf Road. In most centres, TOI found narrow staircases, exposed electrical wiring, overcrowded buildings and poor fire safety systems. In several places, fire alarms and sprinklers were missing.The drive on Wednesday also found violations, including narrow pathways, single entry-exit points and absence of emergency exits.A prominent coaching centre in Gomti Nagar near Kathauta Chauraha, catering to students from Class 9 to 12 for subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science, was found to have a narrow passage and only one entry and exit point. Fire extinguishers lacked proper marking indicating validity and due dates. The fire exit was also missing.“We have revamped all other facilities and the fire exit is currently under construction on site,” said manager of the coaching centre, Aarti Sinha.In Viram Khand, Gomti Nagar, a coaching centre preparing students for UPSC exams had a similarly narrow pathway for the entry and exit, with no fire exit.“We have spoken to the authorities and, as instructed, we are making the entry and exit wider. A fire exit is also currently under construction,” said manager Avinish Tripathi.A coaching centre in Bhoothnath for SSC aspirants had most safety measures in place but lacked water sprinklers, violating mandatory safety norms.“We have discussed the issue with the concerned company and, as per plan, water sprinklers will be installed soon to ensure full compliance with safety norms,” said manager Manish Singh.Another coaching centre in Patrakarpuram, Gomti Nagar, located next to a bakery, operated with a single narrow entry and exit and no designated fire exit.“We are aware of the concerns raised and will take immediate steps to improve safety arrangements and ensure compliance with all required fire norms,” said manager Akhilesh Tiwari.At Hahnemann Chauraha, a coaching centre was found running in a basement, which is a direct violation of safety regulations.Lucknow Development Authority zonal officer Devansh Trivedi said, “We have inspected multiple coaching centres and those found without adequate fire safety equipment have been sealed until compliance is ensured.”TOI reporters manhandled at coaching centreAt a prominent coaching centre at Hahnemann Chauraha for NEET and JEE preparation, staff misbehaved and manhandled TOI reporters when they asked about expired fire extinguishers. Police intervened to rescue the reporters. The centre was later sealed by Lucknow Development Authority for not having water sprinklers.
