India

Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire and Statewide Safety Crackdown

Wednesday, June 24, 2026
5 min read
Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire and Statewide Safety Crackdown

Lucknow coaching centre fire. It was a disaster. Over 100 institutes got sealed off across Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. Everything tied to safety norms, apparently.

The whole thing kicked off after that devastating fire in Aliganj. A coaching institute there. Fifteen lives lost. Monday night.

Then the government moved fast. Yogi Adityanath’s administration launched a statewide inspection drive immediately. They wanted compliance with all the safety rules.

Joint teams went everywhere. District admin, police, fire services, development folks, electrical safety departments they were inspecting major cities. Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Meerut, Agra and other spots.

They found violations everywhere. Over a hundred coaching institutes were flagged. Sealing premises became the immediate action.

Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay stepped in. He said district magistrates needed to make lists of every coaching centre running locally. Strict action against those not registered under that 2002 Act. That was the directive.

“All district magistrates have been directed to conduct a comprehensive survey… and prepare a list,” he quoted. It felt like a massive sweep.

The crackdown really picked up pace Tuesday. Notices were issued. Institutes were sealed because they just weren't safe.

Prayagraj saw some action first. Four institutes got sealed, including the Khan Global Studies branch in Civil Lines. Officials identified about fifty spots needing attention. Fire department folks noted something sharp. Only fifteen of the ninety-seven registered coaching centres had even bothered getting the mandatory fire No-Objection Certificate. That’s a huge gap.

Kanpur also felt the heat. The Development Authority and fire department started checking from Monday evening. By Tuesday night, more than thirty places in Kakadeo that was Kanpur’s biggest educational hub were sealed. Safety norms clearly ignored there.

The worst stuff? It wasn't just about structure. It was the basements. They were approved for parking sometimes. But they were illegally turned into classrooms. Hundreds of students crammed in those spaces. That was a massive risk, obviously.

Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal talked about it. He intensified their campaign: “Safe Institutions, Safe Kanpur.” Trying to nail down fire and public safety regulations.

Deoria got sealed because there was no fire extinguisher on site at one centre. Two libraries also got warnings; they had to fix things up fast.

Jaunpur authorities did surprise checks too. Coaching centres and libraries. Shortcomings in electrical systems, lack of proper evacuation plans noted everywhere. Notices followed for those who hadn't arranged emergency exits properly.

Mau saw major fire safety failures during joint inspections by admin and fire folks across malls, restaurants, and coaching centres. One place? Staff allegedly took nearly an hour just to open an exit during a mock check. That’s not acceptable.

Moradabad and Amroha also got special drives running against places operating without mandatory fire clearances. Multiple institutes found lacking their NOCs. It was widespread.

Etah saw concerns about hundreds of centres and digital libraries. Many were operating in multi-storey buildings, some even using basements for teaching space. Safety compliance was clearly an issue.

Mathura sealed six coaching centres and four libraries on Tuesday. Just another batch of shutdowns.

Noida and Ghaziabad also faced action. Two coaching institutes shut down in Noida. Fifty-six establishments coaching centres, play schools, dispensaries in Ghaziabad were sealed for failing mandatory fire safety rules.

These drives weren't limited to the immediate area. Similar inspections ran through Varanasi, Meerut, Mirzapur and other districts. Officials warned that non-compliance meant serious consequences. Think sealing premises. Utility disconnection. Prosecution was on the table.

The Lucknow tragedy itself remains stark. Fifteen dead. Nine injured. The fire started around three in the afternoon on Usha Mehta Marg in Purania area. It tore through a three-storey building. An animation training institute, a pet shop most victims were young students. Smoke choked the air. Panic spread quickly into the neighbourhood. Students trapped upstairs while the blaze raged below.

It’s one thing to talk about rules. Another thing is when those rules just disappear behind walls.

Written by Gree News Team — Senior Editorial Board

Gree News Team covers international news and global affairs at Gree News. Our collective of senior editors is dedicated to providing independent, accurate, and responsible journalism for a global audience.

#sensational#india#global#trending

More from India

View All

Latest Headlines