Uttar Pradesh authorities sealed numerous coaching centres and libraries on Wednesday for fire-safety and building-code violations [1], [2].

The crackdown follows a fire in the Aliganj area of Lucknow on June 23, 2026, which killed 15 people [4]. The scale of the tragedy has prompted the state government to enforce stricter compliance across the education sector to prevent further loss of life.

Inspections were carried out by state government officials, police, and fire department officials [1]. These operations spanned multiple cities, including Lucknow, Greater Noida, Prayagraj, and Mathura [1], [3]. Authorities targeted institutions that failed to meet mandatory safety standards—a move intended to identify systemic lapses in urban building management.

Reports on the scale of the enforcement vary. The Free Press Journal reported that 12 centres were sealed for safety and building violations [2]. However, IndiaTVNews said that over 100 coaching institutes have faced action [3]. This discrepancy suggests a difference between the number of facilities fully sealed and those facing broader administrative penalties.

The government's response includes a probe into the Aliganj fire, which has already exposed lapses by 25 officials [5]. Action has been recommended against all of those officials as part of the investigation into the disaster.

State officials said the operations aim to ensure that all educational hubs adhere to the National Building Code. The crackdown focuses on obstructed exits, lack of fire extinguishers, and unauthorized structural additions that hinder emergency evacuations [1], [2].

“The crackdown was launched in response to the Aliganj fire in Lucknow that killed 15 people”

This aggressive enforcement signals a shift in how Uttar Pradesh regulates the private coaching industry, which often operates in densely populated urban areas with minimal oversight. By targeting both the institutes and the government officials who overlooked safety lapses, the state is attempting to address a systemic failure in urban planning and fire safety certification.