In the wake of a deadly fire at an unauthorised school in Lucknow, the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has sealed more than 50 educational institutions operating without proper approvals. The crackdown, which began on Monday, targeted schools and colleges found to be running in residential areas without fire safety measures or valid building plans.
GDA Drive Against Illegal Institutions
According to GDA officials, the sealed institutions include 32 schools and 20 colleges located in various sectors of Ghaziabad, including Indirapuram, Vaishali, and Raj Nagar Extension. The authority acted on complaints from residents and a government directive to inspect all private educational facilities after the Lucknow incident. A senior GDA officer stated, "We have identified over 100 such institutions in the first phase; more inspections are underway."
Safety Violations and Lack of Approvals
Many of these institutions lacked no-objection certificates from the fire department and were operating in buildings not designed for educational purposes. Some were found to have narrow staircases, inadequate exits, and no fire extinguishers. Parents expressed shock, with one saying, "We had no idea the school was illegal. Our children's safety is paramount."
Impact on Students and Parents
The sealing has left thousands of students uncertain about their academic future. The GDA has advised parents to approach the district education office for guidance on transferring their children to recognised schools. Meanwhile, owners of the sealed institutions have been given 15 days to submit documents; failure to comply will result in permanent closure.
Broader Crackdown Across Uttar Pradesh
The action in Ghaziabad is part of a statewide drive ordered by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the Lucknow fire, which claimed three lives. The state government has directed all development authorities to survey and seal unauthorised educational institutions within a month. Similar drives have started in Noida and Meerut.
