The SIT probing the June 22 Aliganj fire tragedy in Lucknow, which claimed 15 lives, is finalizing its report for submission to Uttar Pradesh government within a week. The two-member panel comprises Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Amrit Abhijat and Additional Director General of Police (Lucknow Zone) Praveen Kumar.

Key recommendations under consideration:

• Reduce mandatory fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement from buildings taller than 15 metres to those above 12 metres
• Stricter fire safety and building regulations
• Mandatory periodic electrical inspections for commercial establishments
• Improved coordination between government agencies

Findings:

• LDA classified fire-hit property as residential while LMC collected commercial taxes for years, with no inter-agency communication
• Building's sanctioned electricity load was 20 kilowatts but actual usage reached nearly 40 kilowatts
• No comprehensive electrical safety audits despite commercial use
• Serious communication gaps between agencies regulating different aspects of same property

Report expected to recommend criminal and departmental action for negligence, structural reforms for information sharing between departments, stronger enforcement of land-use regulations, tighter electrical safety oversight, and modernized fire safety norms across Uttar Pradesh.

Nearly two years before a fire in Aliganj claimed 15 lives, the Uttar Pradesh government issued detailed directions mandating periodic electrical safety inspections and renewal of safety clearances for commercial establishments and institutions to prevent fire and electrical accidents.

The LMC inaugurated an Urban Facilitation Centre and Zone-3 office in Sector-B, Aliganj on Wednesday. Built at cost of ₹13.11 crore, the three-floor structure covers 2,184 square metres campus with 1,297.5 square metres built-up area, located near the water tank.

Ground floor: Senior Citizen Community and Recreational Centre with activity rooms, gym, yoga facility, library (800 books), financial and legal consultation rooms, cafeteria, and separate toilets for men, women, and persons with disabilities.

First floor: Zonal engineering office with 16 service counters handling property tax, engineering complaints, water supply, street lighting, property department, garden department, birth and death certificates, property mutation, publicity matters, and encroachment complaints.

Second floor: Administrative office for Zone-3.

Inaugurated by UP energy minister AK Sharma in presence of mayor Sushma Kharkwal and MLA Neeraj Bora.

Lucknow University (LU) has about 21,000 students across two campuses but accommodation for only 2,900. Its 18 hostels comprise nine each for boys and girls, with 1,200 beds for boys and 1,700 for girls. Around 1,750 beds are occupied by continuing students, leaving about 1,150 for nearly 10,000 new undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking admission.

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a proposal for a 350-bed girls’ hostel, with construction expected to begin soon. LU is preparing a proposal for another hostel; plans for two more at its second campus have been submitted to the government for approval and financial assistance.

Students also rent private hostels in Narhi, Daliganj and Aminabad, or flats in Nirala Nagar and Aliganj. LU hostel fees range from ₹4,800 to ₹25,000 a year, depending on hostel and room type. Private accommodation often costs more, and living farther from campus adds commuting costs.

After a fire in a three-storey building housing a gaming and animation studio in Aliganj on June 22 killed 15 students, trainees and staff, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) began inspecting coaching institutes across the city on June 24.

An LDA team found inadequate fire and emergency safety measures at the ALLEN coaching centre in Viraj Khand, Gomti Nagar, and evacuated students before sealing the premises. Officer on Special Duty Devansh Trivedi said the building owner had been summoned, operators contacted and students informed; the fire-safety staff were not adequately trained to respond to an emergency.

Education Department official Shaila Nushrat Qidwai inspected Aakash’s documents, operating permits and other records at its Gomti Nagar centre. Officials said action would continue against institutions violating regulations.