A day after the Delhi blaze, a coordinated safety inspection drive was launched in Lucknow as part of the fire and emergency services department’s special audit and awareness campaign across Uttar Pradesh on chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s directions. According to senior fire department officials, deficiencies were detected in at least 27 of the 35 hotels, restaurants and public clubs inspected during the special drive, translating to roughly 77-80% of the establishments checked.
Director general (Fire Services) Sujeet Pandey led the drive in the state capital.
Officials said the violations ranged from deficiencies in fire safety infrastructure to shortcomings in compliance with mandatory norms. Several establishments were found requiring corrective measures, while some were under scrutiny over issues related to fire safety clearances and compliance documentation.
At a hotel in Gomti Nagar, Pandey was seen pulling out a measuring tape and personally checking the width of staircases. Officials accompanying him moved from floor to floor, examining fire-fighting systems, emergency exits, smoke management arrangements and evacuation plans. The message was clear: no detail was too small to ignore.
Fire department officials said notices and follow-up action would be initiated against establishments found violating norms. Re-inspections are also expected to be conducted to verify whether deficiencies are rectified within the stipulated time.
From Gomti Nagar to Hazratganj, the fire officers who are normally stationed at fire stations were out on the streets, checking exits, staircases, fire extinguishers and evacuation routes in hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments across Lucknow on Thursday. All nine fire stations in Lucknow participated in the drive.
“These properties were already on the department’s radar due to fire safety concerns and compliance issues. That is why they were prioritised for inspection,” a senior fire department officer said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak on record.
In the Hazratganj fire station jurisdiction alone, teams inspected 10 hotels spread across Hazratganj, Narhi, AP Sen Road and Charbagh. Fire officials said shortcomings were identified at multiple establishments.
Ankush Mittal, chief fire officer, Lucknow, indicated that the ongoing drive may be expanded in the coming days.
Owners and managers were questioned about maintenance records, the functionality of safety equipment and emergency preparedness.
Staff members were also trained on the use of fire extinguishers, emergency evacuation procedures and first-response measures during a fire incident.
“The objective is to ensure that fire safety systems are not merely installed but remain functional and effective when required,” an official associated with the campaign said.
