Lucknow: A day after 15 people lost their lives in a major inferno that engulfed a commercial complex in Aliganj, coaching centres across the city reported a surge in calls from concerned parents seeking details about safety measures.From Aliganj to Gomti Nagar, administrative staff at these coaching centres spent most of Tuesday responding to queries about fire preparedness.A staff member at a private coaching centre in Gomti Nagar, Atul Kumar Rai, said, “Parents wanted clear answers. They asked about exit routes, staircases and whether classrooms had proper ventilation. We had to explain everything in detail.”Parents enquired about the presence of fire extinguishers, the availability of emergency exits, building clearances and evacuation plans. Many also asked whether regular safety drills were conducted and if the centres had tie-ups with local fire services.Namita Singh, a resident of Indira Nagar, said, “After the incident, I called my child’s coaching centre to ask about exits and fire safety. I wanted to be sure that proper arrangements were in place.”At several coaching institutes, parents even visited centres in person to inspect the facilities.Neha Singh, whose daughter attends classes in Aliganj, said, “I asked if they conduct drills and whether the building has more than one exit. Safety is now the first concern before anything else.”Another private coaching centre in Aliganj reported that parents were particularly concerned about buildings operating in narrow lanes and on upper floors. “They asked if there were multiple exits and how students would be evacuated in case of smoke,” said Riddhima Agrawal, a staff member.Another parent, Amit Srivastava, said, “Many centres operate in congested areas. I wanted to know how evacuation would happen if something went wrong.”Pooja Mishra of Gomti Nagar said, “We trust these institutes with our children. They must ensure basic safety and be prepared for emergencies.”Meanwhile, coaching operators said they have begun reviewing their safety systems following the increased scrutiny. Some centres said they plan to conduct mock drills and recheck electrical fittings and fire safety equipment.BOXLU to conduct fire auditLucknow University will conduct a fire audit across its entire campus. The inspection report will assess safety preparedness, response mechanisms and compliance with fire safety norms. It will also identify risk areas and gaps, recommend measures for improvement and submit the report to the state govt.
