Varanasi: In the wake of the recent coaching centre fire incident in Lucknow, authorities in Varanasi on Tuesday launched an extensive safety inspection drive across coaching institutes, with several centres found violating safety and building norms. Coaching institutes operating without approved building maps were sealed by the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA), while others were directed to vacate premises and rectify serious safety deficiencies.Chief fire officer (CFO) Anand Singh Rajput, accompanied by officials from the fire department and the VDA, conducted inspections at coaching institutes in the Durgakund area on Tuesday morning. The teams carried out a detailed examination of fire safety measures, electrical wiring, entry and exit routes, and overall infrastructure.During the inspections, officials also checked basements being used by coaching institutes. Wooden benches, air-conditioning units and several outdated or non-compliant installations were found in some premises. Institutes where serious shortcomings were detected were directed to vacate the premises and were subsequently sealed.The VDA sealed coaching centres operating in buildings without approved maps or necessary permissions. Simultaneously, a similar inspection drive was launched in the Pandeypur area to verify compliance with safety regulations.Officials said coaching institutes have been instructed to ensure regular audits of fire safety systems, maintain functional emergency exits, provide adequate parking arrangements and install fire-fighting equipment in accordance with prescribed norms. The drive is expected to continue in other parts of the city in the coming daysAt least 15 people, including five women, were killed and nine injured after a devastating fire swept through a commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj on Monday afternoon, in one of the city’s worst fire tragedies in recent years. At least six pets also died in the blaze.The basement, ground and first floors housed a pet shop and veterinary clinic, while the second floor accommodated Learning Space library and Head Hopper Studio, a gaming and animation firm offering skill-development training to students.
