Pune: 67 Establishments Including 45 PG Hostels and 13 Private Coaching Centers Face PMC Action Over Fire, Civic Violations in Three Days
Pune, 21st September 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken action against 67 establishments across the city over the past three days after they were found violating fire safety and other civic norms as part of its ongoing crackdown.
On Sunday, the civic officials ordered 13 paying guest (PG) accommodations and seven scrap shops and warehouses to shut after they were found in violation of several norms and safety lapses were observed.
The drive, involving the fire brigade, building permission and anti-encroachment departments, found several establishments operating without mandatory fire-fighting systems and civic permissions, including building, drainage, water supply, property tax and fire department clearances.
Officials said several PGs and hostels were operating in rented premises, making regulatory oversight difficult. The scrap units inspected in Wadgaon Budruk, Narhe and Dhayari were found storing large quantities of combustible material such as plastic, paper, sacks and scrap in sheet structures near residential areas.
The inspections also covered 21 PGs and hostels and 13 coaching centres in Shivajinagar, Navi Peth and Lohegaon. Several coaching centres lacked adequate emergency exits, evacuation routes, staircases and fire-fighting equipment. Show-cause notices were issued to the establishments.
The crackdown began on Friday following municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram’s directions for a citywide safety audit of PGs, hostels, educational institutions and coaching centres following recent fire incidents in several cities.
Earlier, 11 PGs and hostels in Lohegaon were inspected, with officials finding more than 100 students staying in some three- and four-storey buildings without permanent or temporary fire-fighting systems. The premises were subsequently sealed.
The PMC has directed officials to register cases against unauthorised and unlicensed establishments and seal those found violating safety norms. Property owners running unauthorised PGs and other establishments may also face criminal action.
The fire brigade will continue inspections of schools, colleges, PGs, hostels and hospitals across the city. Establishments will be allowed to reopen only after complying with safety and civic norms, officials said.
