Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered coaching centres and institutions violating safety norms, with authorities sealing several establishments and issuing notices to dozens of others during a special enforcement drive.

The campaign, initiated in the wake of a recent fire tragedy in Lucknow, aims to ensure a safe, transparent and quality educational environment for students by enforcing provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Coaching Regulation Act, 2002.

"All district magistrates have been directed to conduct a comprehensive survey of coaching institutes operating in their districts and prepare a list. Strict action, as per rules, is being ensured against institutions that are not registered under the Act," Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said.

He said registered institutes were also being inspected for compliance with fire safety, electrical safety, building regulations and other mandatory standards.

"Any kind of irregularity or negligence will not be tolerated," the minister said.

District administrations across the state have launched special drives to identify institutions operating without registration and ensure compliance with safety and administrative norms.

The crackdown intensified on Tuesday, with authorities in several districts sealing coaching institutes found violating safety regulations.

In Prayagraj, four coaching institutes, including Khan Global Studies, were sealed for allegedly failing to comply with prescribed standards. Officials said nearly 50 coaching institutes had been identified for similar action.

In Kanpur, authorities sealed more than 30 coaching institutes in Kakadeo, one of the city's largest coaching hubs, after inspections revealed violations of safety norms. Officials said several institutions had illegally converted basements approved for parking into classrooms accommodating large numbers of students.

Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said the "Safe Institutions, Safe Kanpur" campaign had been intensified to ensure adherence to fire and public safety regulations.

A coaching centre in Deoria was sealed for lacking basic fire safety equipment, while inspections in Jaunpur revealed deficiencies in fire safety and electrical systems at several coaching institutes and libraries.

In Mau, officials conducting joint inspections found significant fire safety lapses at coaching centres and other commercial establishments. During a mock inspection, staff at one establishment reportedly took nearly an hour to open an emergency exit.

Authorities in Moradabad and Amroha also launched drives against institutions operating without mandatory fire safety clearances, while officials in Etah expressed concern over the safety compliance of numerous coaching centres and digital libraries functioning in multi-storey buildings and basements.

In Mathura, six coaching centres and four libraries were sealed during the drive.

Similar inspections were carried out in Varanasi, Meerut, Mirzapur and other districts, with authorities warning of stringent action, including sealing of premises, disconnection of utilities and prosecution in cases of continued non-compliance.

Officials said the ongoing exercise forms part of a broader review of illegal constructions, basement establishments and multi-storey buildings housing coaching centres, hotels, hospitals and gyms across the state.