Mumbai, June 23: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has described the recent tragic fire incident in Aliganj, Lucknow, as a significant lesson for the state. He emphasized the need to learn from this painful event to prevent future occurrences. The Chief Minister called for a collaborative effort among the government, administration, and the public to ensure compliance with fire safety standards.
During a meeting with senior officials, CM Adityanath directed the implementation of a comprehensive fire safety audit campaign across the state. He insisted that hospitals, nursing homes, medical colleges, coaching institutes, shopping malls, government buildings, and other commercial establishments be inspected to ensure adherence to necessary safety protocols.
The Chief Minister clarified that this initiative would be conducted in the public interest. He proposed starting with a widespread awareness campaign, followed by appropriate actions as per regulations.
He stressed that no citizen should face harassment under the guise of this campaign. Special teams should be formed in each district to carry out the fire audit. Furthermore, all coaching institutes must ensure proper registration, and commercial buildings should prominently display their fire department’s No Objection Certificate (NOC).
CM Adityanath stated that any compromise on safety standards would not be tolerated. He insisted that buildings or land must be used for the purposes for which they were approved. Commercial activities should not be conducted in residential buildings, and any activities contrary to designated use would be unacceptable.
He specifically instructed that no coaching or other commercial activities should be allowed in basements. If a basement is approved for parking, it should only be used for that purpose. The Chief Minister also called for an assessment of the electrical load in commercial buildings.
He directed that strict action should be taken wherever electrical loads exceed prescribed standards or other regulations are violated.
In the meeting, the Chief Minister received detailed information regarding the recent fire incident in Lucknow from the Additional Chief Secretary of Home, the Director General of Police, the Director General of Fire Services, and other officials.
He reviewed the relief and rescue operations conducted by fire teams, ambulances, and SDRF personnel following the incident. The Chief Minister noted that the quicker the emergency response time, the more effective the relief and rescue efforts would be during crises.
He instructed all relevant agencies to take necessary steps to further reduce their response times and maximize the use of available resources. The Additional Chief Secretary of Medical and Health reported that 14 ambulances were dispatched to the scene immediately after the incident was reported.
The Chief Minister ordered that fire safety audits for all medical colleges, government and private hospitals, and other health institutions be prioritized.
He also referenced a recent fire incident in New Delhi while reviewing fire safety measures in the state. He directed that there should be no delay in providing the modern equipment, resources, and technical facilities needed to enhance the fire department’s capabilities.
During the meeting, the Director General of Fire Services informed the Chief Minister 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 is ongoing for 25 more. Detailed project reports for 47 new centers are also being prepared.
The Chief Minister instructed that necessary actions be expedited to ensure fire services are available in the remaining tehsils. He reiterated that public safety is the highest priority. Compliance with fire safety standards is not just a legal obligation but is crucial for the protection of human life. All departments must work in a coordinated manner to ensure a safe and responsible environment in the state.
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