HC seeks status report on fire safety in schools, coaching centres in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh
Surprise inspections in Chandigarh coaching centres revealed blocked exits and faulty alarms
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the governments of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh, along with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited and Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL), to file a status report on fire safety measures for schools and coaching centres. The report must be submitted by August 10.
The order came on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Kanwar Pahul Singh.
The petition cited a Chandigarh Tribune report dated June 24, titled “Surprise check exposes fire safety gaps”. The article detailed violations found during surprise inspections of coaching centres in Sector 34 by the Municipal Corporation’s fire and rescue services department. The drive was supervised by Dr Inderjeet, Joint Commissioner-cum-Chief Fire Officer, along with station fire officers, following a recent fire incident at a Lucknow coaching centre.
Inspectors found classrooms without exit signage, windows blocked with iron grills and classes being conducted in basements against building rules. Fire alarms and hydrant systems were either non-functional or locked, with keys missing. At most centres, entry and exit points were the same. The institutes inspected included Helix, Allen, Sri Chaitanya Academy, Alex, Head Master’s, Naryana and PW Vidyapeeth.
The petitioner argued that the Supreme Court has already directed states and UTs to ensure that schools comply with the national building code before granting recognition or affiliation. Existing schools were ordered to install fire-extinguishing equipment within six months.
Singh stressed that officers must conduct surveys to identify properties under high- and low-tension electric lines and issue notices to owners about safety risks and legal obligations.
Earlier, the Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission had also taken suo motu cognisance of the same news report. It directed senior officials of Punjab and Chandigarh to enforce fire safety norms, obtain fire safety NOCs from all establishments, and submit compliance reports.
