Bhubaneswar, June 24 (IANS) In the wake of the tragic inferno at a coaching centre in Lucknow that killed several persons, including students, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) on Wednesday directed an immediate, rigorous review and audit of fire safety preparedness across all educational institutions, coaching centres, and skill development hubs throughout the state.

The proactive directive underscored the critical necessity for zero-compromise safety compliance.

In an official directive issued to all District Collectors and Chairpersons of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Special Relief Commissioner & Managing Director of OSDMA, emphasised that the safety of students, trainees, faculty, and support staff remains paramount.

With the new academic session commencing, local authorities have been instructed to execute immediate field inspections to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017, Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety (Amendment) Rules, 2025, and other applicable safety regulations.

The district administrations have been instructed to launch an immediate, widespread inspection campaign across all campuses, paying specific attention to high-risk multi-storied complexes and congested urban spaces. Joint inspection teams will meticulously verify the validity of existing Fire Safety Certificates and No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to ensure compliance with prescribed safety standards.

Inspection teams will verify the functionality of fire safety equipment, including extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarms, and emergency lighting systems. Institutions have been directed not to store combustible materials in classrooms or evacuation routes, to ensure regular electrical maintenance, to provide adequate emergency exits and signage, and to conduct periodic fire safety training and mock drills.

The directive stresses that all exits, staircases, corridors, and emergency escape routes must remain unobstructed at all times. Institutions have been directed to install clear signage indicating exits, assembly points, and emergency contact numbers, and to ensure that doors along evacuation routes open outward and remain easily accessible during emergencies.

“Academic and training institutions must transition from passive compliance to active readiness by conducting regular fire safety awareness programmes for students, trainees, teachers, instructors, and support staff, preferably every quarter. These efforts will be backed by structured, periodic mock drills organised in direct coordination with Fire Services authorities and local administrations. To maintain accountability on campus, each institution is required to officially designate and train specialised Fire Safety Wardens and Nodal Officers,” reads the order.

Educational institutions have been directed to prepare and prominently display institution-specific Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans. They must maintain up-to-date contact details for Fire Services, Police, Health Departments, and the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), and establish clear procedures for immediate emergency reporting and rapid response.

The state government has put in place a multi-agency monitoring mechanism to enforce the safety measures. Joint inspection teams comprising officials from the Revenue, Fire Services, School and Mass Education, Higher Education, and Skill Development departments, as well as local authorities, will conduct regular checks.

Institutions found lacking adequate fire safety arrangements will face immediate action and will be required to rectify deficiencies within a stipulated timeframe.

The OSDMA has directed district administrations to closely monitor implementation of the measures. District Collectors have been asked to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days, detailing the number of institutions inspected, deficiencies identified, and corrective steps taken.

–IANS

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