Dr. Shashank Dwivedi
The recent devastating fire incident in the Aliganj area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has once again shaken the nation. A fire that broke out in a commercial building housing a coaching and animation training centre reportedly claimed the lives of 15 students and several others. Eyewitness accounts revealed that many students were forced to jump from windows to escape the flames and smoke, while others remained trapped inside the building. This tragedy is not merely an accident; it is a stark reminder of the serious shortcomings in our safety systems, building standards, and disaster preparedness mechanisms.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. A few months ago, a car caught fire while in motion, and the occupants could not escape because the electronic door-locking system failed. As the fire disrupted the vehicle's electrical system, the doors remained locked, leaving the passengers trapped inside. They eventually succumbed to suffocation. Similar situations have been reported in several commercial and residential buildings where electronic access control systems, facial recognition devices, and biometric locks failed during emergencies, preventing occupants from escaping when power supply was interrupted.
These incidents raise a critical question: Are modern systems being designed with adequate "fail-safe" mechanisms? What happens when technology itself fails? More importantly, do people have an alternative means of escape when automated systems become non-functional? Technology is meant to assist human beings, not imprison them. Automation should never come at the cost of basic safety principles. In safety-critical environments, a manual backup mechanism must always be mandatory.
Take automobiles, for instance. Earlier generations of cars often had at least one or two fully manual doors that could be opened irrespective of electrical failure. Today, as vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, many rely heavily on electronic locking systems. While technological advancements are welcome, it is imperative that every vehicle provides at least one manually operable emergency exit. In addition, emergency glass breakers and seatbelt cutters should be made compulsory equipment in all passenger vehicles.
The same principle applies to modern buildings. Smart buildings equipped with automated entry systems, biometric access controls, and sensor-based management systems may symbolize progress, but such systems become dangerous if they turn into traps during emergencies. Fire audits should not merely verify the presence of firefighting equipment; they must also assess how automated systems behave during power failures or fire incidents. Emergency exit doors, in particular, should always be manually operable and capable of being opened from inside without requiring electronic authorization.
It is worth noting that most banks, despite being among the country's most sensitive institutions, do not rely entirely on electronic access systems for their primary exits. The reason is simple: ensuring safe and rapid evacuation during emergencies. If such principles are considered essential for financial institutions, they should be equally applicable to commercial complexes, malls, schools, coaching centres, hospitals, and office buildings.
Regrettably, fire safety in India is often treated as a mere compliance formality. Fire extinguishers may be installed, but very few occupants know how to use them effectively. Every institution—whether a school, coaching centre, office, or residential complex—should conduct mandatory fire drills at least once every month. Just as airlines are required to brief passengers on safety procedures before take-off, educational institutions should devote two minutes before the beginning of each class to communicate essential disaster management instructions.
Buildings must also display clear, multilingual, and prominently visible emergency signage indicating evacuation routes and assembly points. During emergencies, panic often causes people to lose their sense of direction, resulting in stampedes and additional casualties. Well-designed signage can save precious minutes—and lives.
Parents, too, have a vital role to play. When selecting schools or coaching institutes for their children, they should inquire not only about academic performance but also about fire safety arrangements, evacuation plans, and disaster preparedness measures. Informed and vigilant citizens can compel institutions to become more accountable.
Moreover, if safety violations are observed in any public or private establishment, citizens should actively raise awareness about such risks. Public awareness and responsible community engagement can pressure institutions to rectify deficiencies before tragedy strikes.
Another important aspect concerns accountability. In the aftermath of fire accidents, electrical short circuits are frequently blamed, and electricity distribution agencies often become easy targets. However, electricity utilities are generally responsible only up to the supply meter. Internal wiring, fire safety infrastructure, maintenance practices, and compliance with safety standards fall under the responsibility of building owners, fire safety authorities, electrical safety regulators, and local development authorities. Therefore, instead of engaging in blame-shifting after a tragedy, a clear framework of accountability must be established and strictly enforced.
India is rapidly moving towards smart cities and intelligent infrastructure. However, true intelligence does not lie in technological complexity alone; it lies in the ability of systems to protect human lives during crises. Technology is meaningful only when it delivers both convenience and safety.
To prevent the recurrence of such heartbreaking incidents, governments, regulators, builders, educational institutions, and citizens must work together to implement concrete reforms. Passing responsibility from one agency to another will not provide solutions. The time has come to accord safety the same priority as smartness, because in any modern society, there can be no asset more valuable than human life.
(Dr. Shashank Dwivedi is a renowned science and technology columnist, Founder of Vigyanpedia, Project Manager at the Telecom Sector Skill Council, and former Director of Mewar University. He has written thousands of articles on science, technology, education, and public affairs.)
