KANPUR/VARANASI, June 24 -- In the wake of the recent fire incident in Lucknow, authorities have stepped up action against coaching institutes flouting safety and regulatory norms. More than 40 coaching centres in Kanpur and Varanasi were sealed on Tuesday. In Kanpur, the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) sealed more than 30 coaching institutes in the city's Kakadeo coaching hub for operating in buildings that failed to meet fire safety and other regulatory norms. Similarly, in Varanasi, the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) inspected coaching centres across various parts of the city and sealed more than eight institutes for violating safety standards and conducting commercial activities in buildings without approved architectural plans. The action, now in its second day, follows directives from the Uttar Pradesh government to review safety standards at educational institutions that attract large numbers of students. Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) secretary Abhay Kumar Pandey said special teams had been deployed to inspect buildings across Kakadeo, one of the state's largest coaching hubs. According to the KDA, 16 coaching institutes operating from basements were sealed during Tuesday's drive. Officials said several operators shut their establishments and left the area after learning about the inspections, while around 20 coaching centres remained closed during the operation. The authority had sealed 16 institutes by late Monday night. By Tuesday afternoon, the number of sealed coaching centres and alleged unauthorised establishments had crossed 30, officials said. In Varanasi, the action was carried out during a joint inspection drive by the fire department and the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA). VDA vice-chairman Purna Borah said strict action would continue against institutions operating without approved building plans or in violation of sanctioned plans. He said inspections found several institutions operating in violation of building norms. The premises of Allen Coaching Centre was sealed for allegedly functioning without an approved building plan. Action was also taken against a coaching institute in the Pahadiya area for violation of the approved building plan and another establishment on Panchkoshi Road was sealed where a library in the basement and a coaching centre was being run without the required approvals. The VDA also sealed two branches of Allen Coaching located on Sankat Mochan Marg and in Saket Nagar. Premises housing L-1 Coaching in Brahmanand Colony, Durgakund, were also sealed. Action was further taken against Aakash Institute and Mahindra Coaching in Durgakund, with their premises sealed during the drive. Varanasi chief fire officer Anand Singh Rajput said 19 coaching centres and libraries were inspected on Tuesday, and notices will be issued to 14 establishments for safety violations, including blocked exit routes and improper storage of flammable materials in basements....