Pune: In response to the fire incident at the "Dhruvtara" study hall in Navi Peth, the Pune Municipal Corporation has initiated safety inspections of all study halls in the city.
The fire, which occurred on Saturday morning, resulted in the loss of study material worth thousands of rupees, prompting immediate action from the authorities.
The incident has highlighted the lack of safety measures in these popular study spaces, used by students preparing for competitive exams.
Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale convened a meeting with Chief Fire Officer Devendra Potphode to address the situation.
During the meeting, it was decided that a survey of all study halls in the city would be conducted, specifically to check for the presence of fire safety equipment.
The inspection process has already begun, with officials focusing on old buildings in the Peth areas, which are known for their small size and lack of fire safety systems.
Dr. Bhosale emphasized the importance of implementing safety measures in these study halls. He noted that many of the buildings in Pune's Peth areas are old, and therefore, may not have the necessary fire safety systems in place.
He added that after the survey is completed, a report will be submitted, based on which further decisions will be made regarding safety precautions.
Pune is a major educational hub, with over 250,000 students preparing for various competitive exams, including the UPSC and MPSC. With more than 750 study halls scattered throughout the city, these spaces form a critical part of Pune's education economy.
However, many of the halls are located in old buildings in areas such as Sadashiv Peth, Narayan Peth, and Navi Peth, where fire safety measures are often lacking, raising concerns about the safety of students using these facilities.
