Jaipur: In a proactive response to safety concerns following the fire at a gaming studio in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives a day earlier, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) sealed 18 coaching institutes across the city Tuesday. The civic body also announced a special fire safety drive in the coming days.JMC’s Deputy Commissioner Praveen Kumar said, “Fire safety regulation is a continuous process. Any shortcomings noticed during inspections are communicated to the institutions concerned for rectification. In cases involving serious life-safety violations, action can include suspension of NOCs and sealing of premises.”Each year, thousands of aspiring doctors, engineers and civil servants flock to Jaipur’s Gopalpura area, a major hub for coaching centres. A visit by TOI to several leading coaching centres in the area Tuesday revealed a mix of compliance and concerns regarding fire safety. While many institutes possessed valid fire NOCs, several were found lacking essential safety provisions.At Motion Institute, although fire-fighting equipment was available, the emergency exit only reached the first floor despite higher-level classes. Some classrooms were windowless, and the seating arrangements could hinder evacuation. “We became operational in April and expect emergency exits for the upper floors to be completed in 15 days. We have ordered additional safety equipment. Besides, we hold regular safety orientations for students,” said Sunil Yadav, the operations manager at the institute.At Unacademy, the institute had functional fire-fighting systems and emergency exits. However, chart paper covered classroom windows to minimise glare on digital screens. “Students are briefed on fire safety every six months. In an emergency, the paper covering the windows can be removed easily,” said caretaker at the institute Krish Gopal.B2E Coaching was noted to have fire-fighting equipment, though its emergency exit was deemed too narrow for effective evacuation, and classrooms lacked windows and ceiling sprinklers. The institute declined to disclose its fire NOC details. Similarly, Aakash Institute had an external fire hydrant system, but the connecting pipes were missing, and significant wooden materials were present in the basement where the administrative block operates. Institute representatives who did not wish to be identified said monthly mock drills were conducted and a new building compliant with fire safety norms was under development, a claim denied when TOI inquired with students.The issue has reignited discussions about relocating coaching institutes to the dedicated hub in Pratap Nagar built by the Rajasthan Housing Board. RHB Commissioner Arvind Poswal said the primary challenge lies in property ownership. “Institutes must buy property in the coaching hub, whereas many prefer operating from rented premises. That is one of the main reasons the shift has not happened,” he said. Aneesh Kumar Nadar, president of the All Coaching Institutes Federation, expressed concerns about student safety as well as the ongoing stress placed on residential neighbourhoods.
B2E coaching institute still not following proper guidlines in Jaipur
Unacademy institute still not following proper guidlines in Jaipur
The civic body also announced a special fire safety drive in the coming days.2. VGP CLASSES/JJ CLASSES3. RAJASTHAN JET CLASSES4. MAD GURU5. ARAVALI CLASSES6. GURU NURSING ACADEMY7. NEXT GURU8. SAINI HOUSE9. KARTIK COMPETITION ACADEMY10. INTERNATIONAL CLASSES11. D N CLASSES12. GURUKUL LIBRARRY13. D N LIBRARY14. CAREER WILL COACHING15. OTS ADDA CLASS16. MAA SARASWATI LIBRARY17. SAKSHAM COACHING CLASSES18. SYSTEM INSTITUTE
