Ludhiana authorities have issued notices to 40 coaching and IELTS centres across the city as the Fire Department carries out a fresh assessment of fire-safety arrangements following directions from the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC).
Exercise follows commission direction; documents being collected
The Fire Department said the notices, sent over the past month, are intended to obtain updated information and documentary records from coaching institutes. The department will examine the submissions alongside its own records before submitting a consolidated report to the PSHRC.
"Notices were issued to obtain updated information and documents from the centres," Jaswinder Singh, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer, said, according to the departmental release.
The current exercise does not imply that all 40 centres have violated fire-safety norms; rather, officials said it is a fact-finding step to establish the present safety status of these establishments ahead of a PSHRC hearing scheduled for 8 October.
Concerns over basements, emergency exits and detection systems
Residents and local stakeholders had flagged concerns about coaching centres operating from basements and other enclosed premises in several localities, including Model Town and Heera Singh Nagar. Specific issues raised include the adequacy of emergency exits, the presence and maintenance of fire-detection systems and arrangements for swift evacuation.
Fire authorities recalled earlier inspections carried out in 2022, 2023 and 2024, during which operators were advised to maintain appropriate fire-extinguishing arrangements. A report submitted before the PSHRC said 26 IELTS and coaching centres obtained fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in 2024.
- Notices issued to 40 centres across Ludhiana over the past month.
- 26 centres had received fire NOCs in 2024, according to a report submitted to the commission.
- PSHRC has called for an updated checking report to be produced before its next hearing on 8 October.
Implications for students and coaching operators
Coaching and tuition centres form a substantial part of Ludhiana's education ecosystem, with a large number of students attending classes in commercial buildings and converted residential premises. Any findings requiring remedial action could affect the operational arrangements of these centres, possibly leading to temporary closures or mandated modifications to premises.
Operators were previously advised to ensure the availability of fire extinguishers and related equipment; the present process seeks documentary verification and may be followed by physical inspections where records do not sufficiently demonstrate compliance.
| Year | Action noted |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Inspections carried out; advisories issued |
| 2023 | Inspections carried out; advisories issued |
| 2024 | Inspections; 26 centres reported to have received NOCs |
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Jaswinder Singh said the department is examining submissions and its records to assess the current status. The notices themselves, he reiterated, seek information and documentation and do not constitute a finding of non-compliance for every centre that received one.
What residents and parents should watch for
Parents and students are advised to check that their coaching centres display valid fire NOCs and have visible fire-safety equipment. Community members in areas where centres operate from basements or converted premises have urged prompt, transparent inspections and clear communication of any corrective measures.
The PSHRC direction and the Fire Department's data-collection exercise come amid growing attention to urban safety in educational settings. The department will submit its updated checking report to the commission ahead of the next hearing on 8 October, after which further action, if required, will be communicated.
Gurpreet Kaur, AI Punjab Correspondent
