Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Fire and Emergency Services Department has identified 78 more coaching classes operating without mandatory fire safety measures, expanding its ongoing crackdown launched in the wake of last month’s fatal blaze at a coaching institute in Lucknow.The latest inspections, carried out across the jurisdictions of all 12 fire stations, uncovered widespread violations, including institutes operating from residential buildings, shops converted into classrooms and even basements of commercial complexes designated exclusively for parking.The fresh findings are in addition to the 137 coaching classes inspected earlier as part of the special drive ordered by municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar. The civic administration has since expanded the inspections after officials discovered that several institutes were left out of the initial survey, chief fire officer Tushar Barahate told TOI.The inspections uncovered violations at several prominent locations across Nagpur, including Sanskruti Sankul near Jhansi Rani Square, Bajaj Nagar, Achraj Tower in Chhaoni, Nandanvan, Sitabuldi, Wathoda, Hudkeshwar, Krida Chowk in Hanuman Nagar, Empress Mall Road in Bajeria, Jagnade Chowk on Great Nag Road, Netaji Nagar in Pardi, Chhatrapati Nagar, London Street Road, Bajrang Nagar in Zingabai Takli, Mankapur on Gorewada Ring Road, Bhupesh Nagar near Dinshaw Factory, Khullar Apartment at Gondwana Chowk, Shubh Complex on WHC Road in Dharampeth and Abhyankar Nagar.The inspections revealed serious deficiencies in fire safety preparedness despite hundreds of students attending these institutes daily, officials said. Several buildings were found to be operating without basic firefighting equipment, emergency exits and other mandatory life safety measures mandated under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006.The department has issued notices under Section 6 of the Act to coaching institute operators for deficiencies in fire safety measures and directed them to obtain mandatory fire safety clearances. Officials warned that institutes failing to address the shortcomings could face action under Section 8(1), under which authorities can declare a building unsafe for occupancy. Continued violations could also invite recommendations for disconnection of electricity and water supply under Section 8(2).Fire department officials said the inspection drive would continue across the city and asserted that no institute would be permitted to operate in violation of fire safety norms. The civic body is also examining whether coaching centres running from residential premises or illegally converted commercial spaces have secured the requisite permissions from planning authorities.Inspection so farCoaching classes without fire safety | 78Classes inspected earlier | 137Drive launched after | Lucknow coaching institute fireAction | Notices under Section 6 of Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Measures Act, 2006Next course of actionSection 8(1) | Building can be declared unsafeSection 8(2) | Power and water supply can be disconnectedViolations foundNo firefighting systemsClasses operating from residential buildingsShops converted into classroomsBasement parking areas converted into coaching centres
