Lucknow: Nearly a week after one of Lucknow’s deadliest fire tragedies claimed 15 young lives, Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj wears a haunting look. The stretch, that once echoed with the chatter of students, , has fallen into an uneasy silence. The charred two-storey building now stands like a grim reminder of the tragedy. The impact of the June 22 blaze extends far beyond the gutted structure. Business activity in the area has come to a standstill. Two coaching institutes located adjacent to the building have suspended classes indefinitely, while a nearby gaming, high-end PC and laptop retail outlet owned by Saurabh Agarwal has remained shut ever since the tragedy. Even seven days later, the locality remains under tight security. A Provincial Armed Constabulary bus is stationed permanently outside the building, while around 10 police personnel continue to guard the site round the clock. Barricades block entry to the burnt premises as investigators continue to examine evidence in the criminal investigation into the fire.Ironically, , the site has turned into an attraction for curious onlookers. Throughout the day, motorists slow down, pedestrians stop briefly and visitors take out their mobile phones to click photographs and selfies with the charred building before quietly moving on. “The area used to be full of life. . Today, it feels lifeless,” said Geetika Kumari, a resident of the locality. Mukesh Singh, who lives next to the gutted building, recalls watching desperate attempts by those trapped inside to escape the flames. “The image of the building burning and a student falling while trying to escape will stay with me forever,” he said quietly. The trauma has also left deep psychological scars on students living nearby. Nidhi Kumari, who resides in the neighbourhood, said, “Whenever I hear an ambulance or fire brigade siren at night, I wake up immediately. . I feel scared,” she said.. Families of those who died said they have received the ex gratia compensation announced from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. However, several of them said assistance announced from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund is yet to reach them.
