Lucknow, June 23: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has termed the recent fire incident in Aliganj, Lucknow, as a significant lesson for the state. He emphasized the need to learn from this tragic event to prevent future occurrences. The Chief Minister stated that it is essential for the government, administration, and citizens to work together to ensure compliance with fire safety standards.
During a meeting with senior officials, CM Yogi directed the launch of a comprehensive fire safety audit campaign across the state. This initiative aims to inspect hospitals, nursing homes, medical colleges, coaching institutes, shopping malls, government buildings, and other commercial establishments to ensure adherence to safety protocols.
The Chief Minister clarified that this campaign will be conducted in the public interest, starting with a widespread awareness drive followed by necessary actions as per regulations. He stressed that no citizen should face harassment under the guise of this campaign. Special teams will be formed in each district to carry out the fire audit, and proper registration of all coaching institutes must be ensured. Additionally, fire safety clearance certificates must be prominently displayed in commercial buildings.
CM Yogi firmly stated that there will be no compromise on safety standards. He reiterated that buildings should be used only for their approved purposes, prohibiting commercial activities in residential buildings. He specifically instructed that no coaching or other commercial activities should take place in basements unless they are designated for parking.
He also directed the assessment of electrical loads in commercial buildings, insisting on immediate action where violations of safety standards are found. The Chief Minister received detailed reports regarding the recent fire incident from key officials, reviewing the rescue operations conducted by fire services, ambulances, and SDRF teams.
He highlighted the importance of reducing response times for emergency services to enhance the effectiveness of rescue operations during crises. The Chief Minister instructed all relevant agencies to take necessary steps to minimize response times and maximize resource utilization.
In the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary of Medical and Health informed that 14 ambulances were dispatched immediately to the incident site. CM Yogi ordered priority fire safety audits for all medical colleges, government and private hospitals, and other health institutions.
He also referenced a recent fire incident in New Delhi, reviewing fire safety measures in the state. The Chief Minister called for prompt availability of modern equipment and resources to strengthen the fire department.
The Director General of Fire Services reported that 326 permanent fire stations are operational in 296 out of 350 tehsils in the state. Additionally, 26 new fire stations are ready for inauguration, while construction of 25 more is underway. Plans for 47 new centers are also being prepared.
CM Yogi instructed to expedite efforts to ensure fire services are available in the remaining tehsils, emphasizing that public safety is of utmost priority. Compliance with fire safety standards is not just a legal obligation but a matter of protecting human life. All departments must work in coordinated efforts to ensure a safe and responsible environment in the state.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
