Bhubaneswar, June 24: Following a devastating fire at a coaching center in Lucknow that resulted in multiple fatalities, including students, heightened alertness has swept across the nation. In response, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has ordered an immediate and thorough review of fire safety measures in all educational institutions, coaching centers, and skill development centers across the state.
This directive emphasizes the importance of strict adherence to safety regulations. In an official communication to all district collectors and heads of district disaster management authorities, OSDMA’s Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, stressed that the safety of students, trainees, faculty, and support staff is paramount.
With the new academic session approaching, local authorities have been instructed to conduct immediate field inspections to ensure compliance with the ‘Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017’, the ‘Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety (Amendment) Rules, 2025’, and other related safety regulations.
District administrations have been directed to initiate widespread inspection campaigns across all campuses, focusing particularly on high-risk multi-story complexes and densely populated urban areas. Joint inspection teams will meticulously verify the validity of existing fire safety certificates and no-objection certificates (NOCs) to ensure compliance with established safety standards.
Inspection teams will assess the operational status of fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarms, and emergency lighting systems. Institutions are instructed to avoid storing flammable materials in classrooms or exit routes, maintain electrical systems regularly, provide adequate emergency exits and signage, and conduct fire safety training and mock drills periodically.
The directive highlights that all exit doors, stairways, corridors, and emergency exit routes must remain unobstructed at all times. Institutions are required to install clear signage indicating exit doors, assembly points, and emergency contact numbers. Additionally, doors leading to exit routes must open outward and be easily accessible in emergencies.
The order states that educational and training institutions should take proactive steps beyond mere compliance with regulations. They are encouraged to regularly organize fire safety awareness programs for students, trainees, teachers, instructors, and support staff, ideally on a quarterly basis. These efforts should be reinforced through systematic and timely mock drills conducted in coordination with fire service officials and local administration.
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