Building Safety Checks Prioritized Around Coaching Hubs and PGs, Says Ashish Sood

When you think of a typical student’s daily grind in India – crowded lecture halls, late‑night study sessions at coaching centres, and cramped paying‑guest (PG) rooms – the last thing that comes to mind is structural safety. Yet, Ashish Sood, a senior official involved in urban planning, says that safety should be the first thing on the checklist, not an after‑thought.

In a recent video shared by The Hindu, Sood walked through a few coaching hubs that double as hostels for hundreds of aspirants. He pointed out that many of these buildings were erected without adhering to basic fire‑safety norms, and that some PGs operate in structures originally meant for commercial use. “When a building is packed with young minds preparing for competitive exams, any lapse can turn tragic in a heartbeat,” he warned.

What makes the situation tricky is the sheer density of these spaces. A single coaching centre might host 200–300 students, while nearby PGs can accommodate another 50–70. The combined footfall often exceeds the design capacity of older structures. Sood stressed that municipal authorities must conduct “targeted audits” focusing on load‑bearing capacity, fire‑escape routes, and emergency lighting.

He also suggested a pragmatic, phased approach. First, prioritize buildings that have already reported minor incidents – a broken stairwell here, a faulty fire extinguisher there. Next, roll out a city‑wide register of all coaching hubs and PGs, making it easier for inspectors to track compliance. The idea is not to shut down every establishment overnight, but to create a clear roadmap that aligns safety upgrades with realistic timelines.

Local officials, according to Sood, have begun to respond positively. Some districts have already issued notices to owners, demanding immediate remedial work. In a few cases, temporary fire‑safety kits were provided while permanent solutions are being engineered. “It’s about creating a culture of accountability,” he noted, adding that students and parents should also be encouraged to ask the right questions before moving in.

Beyond the brick‑and‑mortar, Sood highlighted the role of technology. Simple digital checklists, he said, can be uploaded to municipal portals, allowing real‑time monitoring. A smartphone app could even alert tenants when a building’s safety certificate is about to expire. “If we can make the process transparent, we eliminate a lot of guesswork,” he said.

In conclusion, Sood’s message was clear: safety is not a luxury; it’s a prerequisite for any learning environment. By placing building safety checks at the top of the agenda for coaching hubs and PGs, the city can protect its most valuable resource – the young minds shaping the nation’s future.