Kanpur, June 23 (IANS) A day after a massive blaze ripped through a commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, killing at least 18 people, the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) undertook safety inspections at commercial establishments, particularly coaching institutes operating in the city.

Talking to IANS, Kanpur Dehat District Magistrate Kapil Singh said: “I have got know that around 37 coaching centres are currently operational in the city. Sub-District Magistrate (SDM), Fire Officer and other officials have been directed to conduct thorough inspections at such centres as well as other commercial establishments to check whether fire-related measures are being followed or not.”

“The goal is to ensure that lives could be saved in the event of any disaster. For that, SDM and other officials have also been asked to speak to locals where such institutions are placed,” he added.

He further said that if any violation is found, action will be taken accordingly.

KDA Secretary Abhay Pandey said: “Following yesterday’s incident, a campaign has been undertaken across Kanpur. All coaching institutes and those businesses that are being run through basements are being marked and thoroughly checked regarding its structures, fire-safety measures, entry and exit points etc.”

He said that since yesterday’s incident, action has been taken on 30 buildings.

Meanwhile, students of Allen Coaching Institute gathered at a roadside while a fire safety inspection was reportedly being carried out at the institute’s premises.

Speaking to IANS, a student said: “There are around 50 students in my batch. We have been told that the institute will be sealed for safety checks.”

“In my one month here, I have not faced any safety hazard,” she maintained.

Regarding the Lucknow tragedy, she said: “It is a really depressing incident and looking at what happened, I think that carrying out these security checks is a good decision as safety is always the priority.”

Unnati acknowledged that there were safety lapses due to which more people could not escape in the Lucknow incident, saying: “These steps are good because, God forbid, if such an incident gets repeated, at least students can be evacuated in time.”

Another student added: “We have been told that the institute will open only after the required papers are submitted to the authorities.”

A similar inspection drive was also undertaken at coaching institutes and libraries in Ayodhya.

–IANS

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