A large-scale inspection drive has been launched across Chhattisgarh following the deadly fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow that claimed the lives of 15 students. Authorities in Durg and Bilaspur have begun reviewing safety standards at educational institutions, uncovering multiple violations related to fire safety and emergency preparedness.

In Durg district, a joint team comprising personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and fire safety officials carried out surprise inspections at coaching centres on Wednesday night. The exercise revealed widespread lapses in safety arrangements, prompting authorities to issue notices to 62 coaching institutes.

Officials said the notices were primarily related to the absence of emergency exits, inadequate fire safety systems and failure to comply with mandatory safety norms. Several institutions have been given 24 hours to address deficiencies, failing which further action may be initiated.

The inspection focused largely on Bhilai’s New Civic Centre area, which houses a significant concentration of private coaching institutes. Authorities estimate that nearly 150 to 200 major coaching centres and tutorial institutes operate across Durg district, with more than 100 located in the New Civic Centre alone.

According to officials involved in the drive, none of the institutions inspected fully complied with prescribed safety standards. Several centres were found operating with expired fire extinguishers, while others lacked proper installation of firefighting equipment.

The inspection teams also found that many buildings had only a single entry and exit point, raising concerns about evacuation during emergencies. In some cases, narrow staircases and overcrowded classrooms were identified as serious risks.

Officials noted that certain multi-storey coaching centres lacked alternative evacuation routes, which could pose significant dangers in the event of a fire or other emergency. Students and staff at some facilities would have limited options for escape if a major incident occurred.

Several well-known institutes in the area, including Vedantu Coaching Centre, ABS Foundation, NEET-JEE Master, TIME, Legal Edge, Goal, The English, Cad Academy Group, KCS, Rama Coaching, Motion, Fluency, Career Knowledge Centre, Kota Study Circle, Impact Study Zone, S2S and Law Prep Tutorial, were among those served notices during the inspection drive.

The action in Durg was mirrored in Bilaspur, where a joint team of police, municipal corporation officials and fire department personnel inspected six coaching centres. Five institutions were found to have safety-related shortcomings, while one coaching centre was sealed.

Authorities identified multiple deficiencies, including the absence of emergency exits, inadequate firefighting systems, unclear building permissions and insufficient compliance with safety regulations.

Among the institutions inspected were Udaan IAS, Chandra Academy, Acharya Academy, Oxidation Coaching, Premier Academy and Patel Tutorial. Officials said Udaan IAS was sealed after inspectors found serious violations.

According to the inspection report, the institute had only one entry and exit point, lacked a fire safety system and did not have lift facilities despite operating in a multi-storey building. Authorities also cited inadequate parking facilities and insufficient space for the number of students enrolled.

The remaining institutions were issued notices directing them to rectify shortcomings within a specified timeframe. Officials warned that failure to comply with safety requirements could result in stricter action, including closure.

The inspections come amid growing concerns about student safety in educational establishments across the country. Authorities said the objective is not only to identify violations but also to ensure that coaching centres adopt basic safety measures capable of preventing casualties during emergencies.

With thousands of students attending coaching institutes daily in both Durg and Bilaspur, officials indicated that inspections are likely to continue in the coming days as part of a broader safety audit.