Lucknow: In the wake of the devastating Aliganj commercial complex fire that claimed 15 lives on Monday, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) on Wednesday sealed 71 establishments and issued notices to 83 commercial building owners and operators across the city found violating building and fire safety norms. It was the first day of the drive.Preliminary investigations have pointed to serious lapses in fire safety measures and emergency evacuation arrangements in the commercial building in Aliganj that was gutted in Monday’s fire.Acting on directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, enforcement teams, accompanied by officials from the fire department and Lucknow police, conducted inspections across all seven enforcement zones of the city. The fate of the buildings sealed will be decided by the govt, while those who have been served notices have been asked to ensure compliance within 15 days.The drive targeted coaching centres, libraries, dance studios, play-group schools, computer training institutes, blood banks, nursing homes, hotels and commercial complexes operating in residential or commercial buildings.Officials said the campaign would continue for the next three weeks and focus on verifying compliance with sanctioned building plans, fire safety requirements including emergency exit provisions and occupancy norms.According to the LDA, enforcement zone-7 recorded the highest number of actions, with 14 establishments sealed and notices issued to 20 others. The zone includes Indiranagar and Gomtinagar.In zone-2, which includes the Kanpur road and Krishnanagar areas, 16 coaching centres were sealed during inspections. Show-cause notices were also issued to 16 building owners for alleged violations.The drive also extended to Hazratganj, where 14 establishments, including coaching institutes, were sealed and notices were served to 20 building owners.In zone-5 which includes Chandannagar and Aashiana, five buildings were sealed and notices were issued to 21 owners.In Krishnanagar, Vijaynagar and Manaknagar, seven establishments, including a hotel, library and coaching institutes, were sealed for operating in buildings found to be in violation of prescribed norms.Six establishments were sealed in zone-4 on Sultanpur road. Notices were issued to seven building owners.Officials said further action, including sealing, penalties and prosecution, would be initiated against establishments found violating building and fire safety regulations during the ongoing drive.
