Patna: Fire safety audits conducted at coaching institutes across Patna have uncovered significant deficiencies in emergency preparedness, with officials warning that institutions failing to comply with safety norms could face administrative action.
Manoj Kumar Nat, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Fire Services, inspected Khan Global Studies near Boring Road Crossing along with a team of officials on Tuesday. During the inspection, he reviewed the institute’s fire safety arrangements and identified several shortcomings.
Officials observed that student seating had been arranged directly beneath an electrical panel, a practice considered unsafe in the event of an electrical fault or fire. The inspection team also found that no sprinkler system had been installed at the premises. Sunil Kumar Nayak, Inspector General (IG), Fire Services, was present during the inspection.
Deficiencies Found at Multiple Institutes
The inspections were part of an ongoing fire safety audit drive across coaching hubs in the city. According to officials, 12 coaching institutes in the Musallahpur area were inspected since morning, with deficiencies reported at each location.
Ajay Kumar Sharma, Fire Sub-Divisional Officer, carried out a follow-up audit at Khan Global Studies, Kautilya GS Teaching Center and Gyan Bindu GS Academy, located within the Kisan Cold Storage campus.
The audit found that previously identified issues remained unresolved. These included deficiencies related to water storage facilities, fire alarm systems, fire escape staircases and sprinkler installations.
Fresh directions have been issued to the institutes to address the shortcomings.
Authorities Warn of Consequences
Speaking during the inspection, officials said all deficiencies had been documented and recommendations would be submitted for further action.
“We have noted all the deficiencies and will submit our recommendations. Every institution must rectify its fire safety arrangements. Failure to do so will be reported to senior authorities, after which action may be taken, including the possibility of sealing the premises,” an official said.
Officials added that separate inspection teams had also been deployed in the Bazar Samiti and Kumhrar areas as part of the citywide audit exercise.
Concerns Over Student Capacity
At Kautilya GS Teaching Center, inspectors raised concerns about the adequacy of fire safety measures relative to student capacity.
According to officials, the institute can accommodate around 400 students, but the existing fire safety infrastructure was found to be insufficient for handling emergencies involving such a large number of occupants.
Audits Follow Fatal Lucknow Fire
The inspections in Patna come after a deadly fire incident in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday.
According to reports, a fire broke out in a building around 1:30 PM, killing 15 people, including five women and ten men. Most of the victims were students between the ages of 20 and 30. Preliminary reports suggested that an air-conditioner blast may have triggered the fire.
Following the incident, fire safety inspections have been intensified at educational institutions and other public establishments in Patna to assess compliance with safety norms and emergency preparedness.
