Lucknow, June 25: In the aftermath of a devastating fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, that claimed 15 lives, the Odisha government has directed all District Collectors and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to conduct immediate fire safety audits of educational institutions, coaching centres and skill development hubs across the state.
Issuing the directive on Wednesday, Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, instructed district authorities to carry out comprehensive field inspections to ensure strict compliance with the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017, the amended 2025 regulations, and other applicable safety norms.
The district administrations have been asked to closely monitor the implementation of fire safety measures and submit a consolidated Action Taken Report within 15 days. The report must include details of institutions inspected, deficiencies identified and corrective measures initiated.
As part of the drive, district authorities will conduct extensive fire safety audits across educational campuses, with special emphasis on high-rise buildings and institutions located in congested urban areas. Inspection teams will verify the validity of fire safety certificates and No Objection Certificates (NOCs), while also assessing the functionality of essential safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarm systems and emergency lighting.
The government has prohibited the storage of combustible materials in classrooms and corridors and directed institutions to ensure regular maintenance of electrical systems. Educational establishments must also maintain adequate emergency exits, display clear safety signage and conduct periodic fire safety training programmes and mock drills.
To strengthen emergency preparedness, all exits, staircases, corridors and escape routes must remain unobstructed at all times. Institutions have been instructed to install prominent signage indicating evacuation routes, assembly points and emergency contact numbers. Doors along evacuation routes must open outward and remain easily accessible during emergencies.
The directive further mandates regular fire safety awareness programmes for students and staff, preferably every quarter. Institutions are required to organise mock drills in coordination with Fire Services and local authorities and appoint trained Fire Safety Wardens and Nodal Officers to oversee preparedness measures.
In addition, every institution must prepare and prominently display an Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan tailored to its premises. Updated contact information of Fire Services, police, health authorities and District Emergency Operation Centres must be readily available, along with clearly defined internal emergency response protocols.
Authorities will pay special attention to institutions operating from rented buildings, commercial complexes, basements and facilities with high student density. Hostels and residential training centres will also undergo rigorous inspections to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.
To ensure effective enforcement, a multi-agency mechanism comprising officials from the Revenue, Fire Services, School and Mass Education, Higher Education and Skill Development departments will oversee implementation. Institutions found violating fire safety norms or lacking adequate safety infrastructure will face strict action and will be required to undertake corrective measures within a stipulated timeframe.
The statewide audit aims to prevent tragedies similar to the Lucknow incident and strengthen fire safety preparedness across educational institutions in Odisha.
