Fire Safety Registration Made Mandatory for All Educational Institutions in Pimpri-Chinchwad After Coaching Centre Fire
Fire Safety Registration Made Mandatory for All Educational Institutions in Pimpri-Chinchwad After Coaching Centre Fire
PCMC orders compulsory fire safety registration for schools, colleges and coaching centres after a recent fire incident. Institutions must apply online and comply with safety norms to continue operations.
Pimpri-Chinchwad : Educational institutions across Pimpri-Chinchwad will now have to complete mandatory fire safety registration after a recent coaching centre fire raised serious questions about preparedness and safety standards. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has issued a directive requiring all schools, colleges, coaching classes, academies and training institutes to register with the fire department and obtain an official Fire Safety Compliance Certificate. This step comes as part of an urgent effort to prevent similar incidents and ensure that spaces where students gather are properly safeguarded.
PCMC officials confirmed that every institution, regardless of size or type, must follow the new rule. The registration will only be approved if an institution has a fully functional firefighting system, clear evacuation routes, alarms and trained staff capable of handling emergencies. Authorities stressed that no exceptions will be made. If an institute fails to meet the fire safety standards, action will be taken according to existing laws, which may include penalties or orders to close until compliance is achieved.
To make the process easier, the civic body has launched an online registration system. Institutions can now submit applications through the PCMC portal by uploading required documents, photographs of safety equipment and layout plans. A QR code has also been shared to help institutes access the application page quickly. The fire department believes this digital process will reduce paperwork, speed up approvals and make compliance more transparent.
The new rule follows an alarming incident where students had to be rescued from a coaching institute after a fire broke out in a commercial building in Pimple Saudagar. The incident highlighted lapses such as blocked exits, inadequate alarms and lack of trained staff. It triggered citywide concern among parents, who demanded stricter monitoring of private coaching centres and school buildings. The civic body responded by inspecting several institutes and initiating this mandatory registration drive to ensure that every educational facility meets the minimum safety requirements.
Officials say the goal is not to inconvenience institutions but to protect students. Thousands of children and young adults attend classes in different parts of the city every day, and even a small oversight can have serious consequences. By enforcing this rule citywide, PCMC hopes to build a culture where fire safety is treated as a basic requirement rather than an optional formality. The administration also wants schools and coaching centres to conduct regular mock drills, check equipment periodically and educate staff about managing emergencies.
Parents have welcomed the move, saying they feel more confident knowing that authorities are taking active steps to improve safety. Some institutions have already begun upgrading their equipment, installing extra extinguishers and clearing previously blocked exits. While the new rules may temporarily create extra work for institute owners, many experts believe the long-term benefits far outweigh the effort. A well-prepared environment reduces risks and reassures families that their children are in safe hands.
With the new registration system now active, all educational institutions are expected to complete their applications within the specified timeline. The civic body plans to conduct follow-up inspections and take action against those who ignore the directive. The hope is that strict enforcement will prevent accidents and create a safer learning atmosphere across Pimpri-Chinchwad.
