Nagpur: Even as 15 youngsters lost their lives in a devastating fire at a building in Lucknow on Monday, official records revealed an alarming fire (un)safety situation in Nagpur, where more than a hundred coaching class buildings were declared unsafe and dozens face disconnection of electricity and water supply for failing to comply with mandatory norms.The issue assumes significance as around 150 students attending classes at Bansal Pathshala for IIT-JEE, NEET and MHT-CET had a narrow escape on May 6 after a fire broke out in an electricity meter unit on the first floor of a two-storey commercial complex on Mount Road in Sadar. Though no injuries were reported, the incident exposed glaring deficiencies in emergency preparedness at educational establishments operating from commercial complexes and converted residential buildings.Data obtained from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) fire and emergency services department shows that 141 buildings housing coaching classes were inspected till June 23, 2026. Of these, 103 buildings were declared unsafe and proceeded against under Section 8(1) of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, for failing to comply with notices issued by the department to install firefighting systems and life safety measures.The crackdown intensified against persistent violators, with 40 coaching institutes facing action under Section 8(2)(a), which empowers authorities to seek disconnection of electricity and water supply to establishments continuing operations despite non-compliance.Chief fire officer Tushar Barahate said notices were issued directing owners and occupiers to install firefighting equipment and comply with prescribed norms within a stipulated period. “Despite repeated notices and enforcement measures, compliance has remained poor,” he said.Records further show that 15 cases have been forwarded to Nagpur city police for registration of FIRs under Section 36 of the Act, which prescribes penal action against violators of fire safety provisions. In addition, files pertaining to 60 coaching institutions have been sent to zonal offices for initiating action against misuse of sanctioned building plans.Despite sustained enforcement, only 37 coaching institutes have submitted ‘A’ certificates certifying completion of prescribed firefighting arrangements.Sources in the fire department said inspections across the city have revealed widespread misuse of sanctioned plans. In several instances, buildings approved for residential purposes are being used commercially, including as coaching centres.Officials pointed out that monitoring misuse of sanctioned plans primarily falls under the jurisdiction of the town planning department. The fire department has repeatedly written to assistant municipal commissioners seeking action against owners operating properties in violation of approved plans.With thousands of students attending coaching classes every day, the Lucknow tragedy and the near-miss at the Sadar institute have become stark reminders of the consequences of ignoring fire safety norms. The figures raise an uncomfortable question: Will authorities crack down on unsafe coaching centres before Nagpur witnesses a tragedy of similar proportions?
