Ludhiana: The fire tragedy which claimed 15 lives has left many in the city apprehensive. The horrific incident has laid bare a shocking lack of accountability about fire safety in multiple cities.In Ludhiana, the situation mirrors this neglect. Despite repeated reminders, particularly after major incidents, authorities have failed to enforce fire safety norms at the ground level. Commercial complexes and coaching centres continue to operate without mandatory clearances, turning into potential death traps.Coaching centres in congested areasPrivate coaching institutes in Ludhiana are mostly located in Model Town Extension, Kitchlu Nagar, Sarabha Nagar Market, Dugri, Pakhowal Road and Jamalpur.Hundreds of students visit these centres, which operate from early morning till late evening. Despite such numbers, fire safety is not a concern for those who run the centres. The buildings are often structurally unsafe, with narrow staircases framing a single exit. Ceilings hang low, basements are congested and there are no fire exits, even though food joints use LPG cylinders on the same premises. Common violations include unauthorised construction of three to four floors despite permission for only two, and lack of fire NOCs.In case of fire, quick evacuation in such centres is impossible. Besides fire, the buildings also enhance the risk of casualties caused by smoke inhalation and stampedes.Activist raises alarmActivist Arvind Sharma has formally approached the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, warning that Ludhiana could witness a tragedy like Lucknow if preventive measures are not taken immediately.He highlighted that many coaching centres in Model Town Extension operate in four to five-storey buildings with narrow entry and exit passages. In several cases, only a single staircase exists, leaving no scope for safe evacuation.Sharma stressed that despite repeated complaints, authorities have limited their action to issuing notices. He urged the commission to direct immediate inspections, verify compliance with fire safety norms, and initiate strict legal action, including sealing of premises with serious violations.Demand for actionFormer councillor Parminder Mehta has urged the Punjab chief minister to take lessons from the Lucknow tragedy. He demanded closure of coaching centres and schools operating in congested, unsafe buildings. Mehta said the grief of families who lost children in sudden, painful deaths is unbearable and such incidents are a direct result of administrative negligence. He called for a ground-level survey and urgent corrective steps to prevent similar disasters in Punjab.Role of fire departmentA senior fire official said checks have been conducted and notices issued to violators. However, he said the department cannot do much more than issuing notices because many structures were built years ago and are now occupied by multiple tenants who failed to obtain fire NOCs.The official pointed out the major irregularity of absence of two separate entry/exit gates, saying that this leads to people getting trapped during fire incidents. He explained that in most cases, deaths occur not from burns but from smoke inhalation and suffocation. The absence of rear staircases compounds the risk, leaving occupants with no escape route.Past fire safety drivesThe issue of unsafe coaching centres is not new. After the tragic Surat fire in 2019, Ludhiana fire brigade was instructed to conduct intensive checks. Public notices were issued by the then MC Commissioner. In 2023, fire officials carried out checks in coaching centres and other establishments, but enforcement remained weak.In 2024, three students died in a coaching centre operating illegally in a basement in Delhi. Following this, Ludhiana MC officials were asked to inspect basements. A total of 416 unsafe buildings were identified but little action was taken against violators.Box: Key Concerns Raised–Narrow staircases and single exits–No emergency fire exits or rear staircases–Unauthorised floors beyond approved limits–Basements occupied despite restrictions–LPG cylinders in eateries within complexes–Lack of fire NOCs and safety systemsThe Way ForwardThe Lucknow tragedy has reignited debate on fire safety enforcement. Experts and activists insist that Ludhiana must not wait for another disaster to act. Immediate steps include comprehensive fire safety audits of all coaching centres and commercial complexes, strict enforcement of building regulations and occupancy permissions, mandatory installation of fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency exits, legal action and sealing of premises found violating norms, and regular follow-up inspections instead of one-time drives.
