Pune: A survey by Alandi Municipal Council has revealed that all 16 private coaching institutes in the temple town were operating without registration, exposing major regulatory lapses in the wake of the Diveagar beach tragedy that claimed the lives of eight Std XI students.The students were among 42 taken on a day’s trip to Diveagar in Raigad district by a private coaching institute in Alandi, located about 25km from Pune. The tragedy has raised serious concerns over the accountability of coaching classes and the safety measures followed during student outings.The survey found that none of the coaching institutes had registered with the municipal council. It also flagged issues like unauthorised constructions and pending property tax dues. The coaching institute linked to the tragedy reportedly owes Rs 45,634 in property tax and faces questions over unauthorised structures.Residents have criticised authorities for acting only after a fatal accident. “This is a wider failure of enforcement rather than an isolated violation,” resident Somnath Gaikwad said, questioning how coaching centres continued to operate without mandatory registrations, building permissions and safety compliance.Citizens and activists have demanded stricter monitoring of coaching institutes, including checks on registration, taxation, fire safety, structural stability, emergency exits and staff preparedness. They also pointed to the lack of coordination between civic and education authorities, allowing such establishments to function with minimal oversight.Activist Sudhakar Kshirsagar said coaching classes often operated outside the regular school framework and therefore required stronger scrutiny. “Without effective coordination between civic authorities and the education department, such establishments may continue to function without adequate oversight,” he said.Alandi Municipal Council chief officer Madhav Khandekar said notices would be issued to coaching institutes and property owners operating without the required permissions. “Establishments have been directed to obtain the necessary approvals within the stipulated period. Action will be initiated against those that fail to comply,” he said.The residents, however, argued that post-tragedy notices could not substitute preventive enforcement. Former member of the council Rahul Chitalkar said, “A collective approach is needed, with police and civic authorities jointly assessing safety in these classes, because student safety is at stake. These agencies should conduct a comprehensive audit of all coaching centres, verify their legal status, and make student safety a mandatory requirement.”The incident has also reignited debate over the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for private coaching classes. “Parents leave their children at these institutes assuming they are safe, but there is no effective oversight of their activities or safety standards. Student safety must become a priority for all concerned agencies,” Pintu Vahile, uncle of one of the victims, said.
