Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has mandated that all coaching centres in the national capital must adhere to established fire and safety regulations within a month. This ultimatum comes amid heightened concerns for student safety following a series of fire incidents, including a tragic blaze in Lucknow that resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals. The affected building housed various establishments, including an animation centre and coaching centre.

In a video address released on Saturday, Gupta emphasised that the focus of the directive is not the quantity of coaching institutes in Delhi but rather the imperative of ensuring the safety of students. She firmly stated, “One month. That is the deadline,” underlining that the lives of children are paramount in this initiative.

Gupta reiterated the importance of compliance by instructing all coaching institutes to conduct mandatory fire safety audits and to install the necessary safety equipment, while abiding by the prescribed standards. She further warned that non-compliance would lead to stringent actions, including the potential sealing of institutions that fail to meet these requirements within the outlined timeframe.

Significance of Student Safety Highlighted

The chief minister’s announcement reflects a growing awareness of the potential hazards faced by students attending coaching centres. Directly addressing operators, Gupta remarked, “The number of coaching institutes in Delhi is not the issue. What matters is the lives of the children studying there, their safety and security.” She affirmed that the government would not make concessions regarding student safety under any circumstances.

Furthermore, Gupta encouraged students and parents to alert authorities about any coaching centres lacking sufficient safety measures. She stated, “Students are urged to report any unsafe coaching institute by message, email or phone. Every complaint will be acted upon.” Gupta assured that all reported cases would be promptly investigated to ensure adherence to safety standards.

In conjunction with these enforcement measures, the Delhi government is developing a more comprehensive regulatory framework meant to impose stricter oversight on coaching institutes. A robust law is set to be introduced shortly to enhance accountability and elevate safety protocols across the sector.

Government Inspections and Future Initiatives

Earlier in the week, Education Minister Ashish Sood ordered a citywide safety inspection of coaching centres, aligning with the government’s ongoing efforts to establish a new regulatory mechanism for such establishments. This proactive approach marks a significant step towards ensuring that coaching centres operate within the parameters of safety compliance.

The recent warning issued by Gupta signals a broader crackdown on coaching institutes operating without the necessary safety infrastructure. With thousands of students frequenting these centres daily, the government has underscored the importance of safety compliance as an essential requirement. Operators have been cautioned that failure to meet regulations within the designated period could result in closures.

Gupta concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of every student in Delhi: “The Delhi government remains firmly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every student.” This initiative is part of a larger strategy to enhance safety measures and provide a secure learning environment for all students engaged in coaching programmes.

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