GORAKHPUR, June 28 -- The Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA) on Saturday sealed 10 coaching institutes for failing to address safety and regulatory deficiencies despite being served notices four days earlier. District authorities have intensified inspections of buildings housing coaching centres and e-libraries, issuing notices to 129 owners and operators over safety violations. Of these, the Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA) served notices to 81 institutions, while the Fire Department issued notices to 48 coaching centres, directing them to provide emergency exits and install fire-fighting equipment. According to GDA authorities, the institutes had been instructed to address deficiencies related to building approvals, fire safety measures and other mandatory requirements. However, after the operators failed to comply within the stipulated period, sealing action was initiated. GDA vice-chairman Abhinav Gopal said strict enforcement is being undertaken to ensure that coaching institutes operate in accordance with safety regulations and approved building norms, with student welfare remaining the top priority. Officials said that during large-scale inspections and verification drives conducted on June 23 and 24, several coaching centres were found violating safety norms and were subsequently issued notices. According to reports, coaching centres in Hariom Nagar, Chatra Sangh Crossing, Gandhi Gali, Asuran Crossing and Rapti Nagar were among those served notices. The campaign, led by ADM (City) Gajendra Kumar in coordination with the fire department, exposed several serious shortcomings in safety arrangements at various coaching centres. During the inspections, officials found that many institutes lacked emergency exits, while fire extinguishers were either unavailable or non-functional. In several establishments, a large number of students were being accommodated in cramped classrooms, raising concerns about their safety in the event of an emergency. ADM (City) Gajendra Kumar said, "Students' safety is our highest priority, and no compromise with security standards will be accepted. Strict action will be taken against those found negligent."He directed coaching operators to immediately address the deficiencies and warned that institutions failing to comply with prescribed norms could face legal action, including the sealing of their premises....