LUCKNOW, July 5 -- The Uttar Pradesh Housing and Development Board (Awas Vikas Parishad) has sealed 21 commercial establishments across its schemes in Lucknow for allegedly violating building and fire safety norms, as authorities intensified enforcement following the June 22 Aliganj fire tragedy that claimed 15 lives. The action follows directions issued by the board commissioner to inspect commercial establishments operating in housing board schemes and take action against those violating building by-laws and fire safety regulations. The citywide drive was launched after the Aliganj fire, which also left nine people injured and raised concerns over the enforcement of safety norms. Deputy housing commissioner Chandan Kumar Patel said officials have so far sealed 21 establishments and served notices to 56 others found violating regulations. The inspections covered housing board schemes, including Awadh Vihar, Indira Nagar, Vrindavan, Amrapali and other residential colonies in Lucknow. Officials found several commercial establishments operating without mandatory fire no objection certificates (NOCs), emergency exits and basic fire safety equipment. In several cases, owners had allegedly converted buildings approved for residential use into commercial establishments without obtaining the required permissions. On Friday, the board's construction division also sealed seven buildings in Indira Nagar that were allegedly operating as hospitals, hotels, libraries, rental accommodations and commercial complexes without commercial land-use approval or sanctioned building plans. Officials also stopped construction of a hotel being built on a residential plot in alleged violation of building norms. The enforcement drive targeted hotels, coaching institutes, libraries and other commercial establishments that failed to comply with safety and land-use norms. Patel said the superintending engineer directed executive engineers and zonal teams to conduct inspections and take immediate action wherever violations were detected. He added that officials have been instructed to continue inspections and identify more properties allegedly flouting the rules. Board officials said the campaign is intended to be a sustained enforcement exercise rather than a one-time drive. Inspections will continue across all housing board schemes to ensure commercial establishments comply with approved land use, building by-laws and fire safety requirements. Patel added that any negligence or lapses by board officials during the enforcement drive would invite strict action against those found responsible....