Delhi Fire Service (DFS) informed the Delhi High Court that it does not have a law regulating Coaching Centres and as such, these institutes have emerged all over the national capital, without proper clearances.

The PIL before the bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar, Kanchan Gupta v Lieutenant Governor seeks to implement fire safety measures in coaching centres in Mukherjee Nagar, New Delhi

The affidavit from DFS informed the court that the coaching centres, widely unregulated, are mostly run in residential buildings, and other occupancies, ‘without changing the exit parameters’. Thus, in case of fire, evacuation process faces challenge owing to narrow corridors and staircases.

The Home Department of Delhi Government had issued an order dated 27.05.19 for immediate inspection of coaching centres and prompt closure of coaching institutes which housed above fourth floor in buildings violating fire norms.

The order came in the light of tragic death of 21 students in a fire accident in a coaching centre at Surat.

DFS, in its affidavit filed through Additional standing Counsel (Civil) of Delhi Government, Advocate Gautam Narayan has said 33 coaching centres fell short of norms and all have been notified by concerned authorities, although no compliance was received till date.

Further, a meeting was held by the Chief Secretary, Delhi on 28.08.19 proposing constitution of an expert committee to evaluate the risks and frame safety measures including fixing of occupancy of these Coaching Centres.