Lucknow, Aug 8 (IANS): The authorities have begun the process of shifting out of Lucknow city 500 factories located in densely populated areas in violation of safety norms, an official said on Monday.

The Lucknow district administration has asked fire department, municipal corporation and labour department to give a final report on these factories so that notices can be issued to them, City Magistrate Vinod Kumar said.

These factories are located in densely populated areas and prima facie violating safety norms, he said.

They needed to be shut down within the city limits and moved out, Vinod Kumar said.

The fire department has been asked to check the fire safety measures at these industrial units and give a no-objection certificate or else recommend their shifting out.

"This action has been taken keeping in mind the safety of people living around these factories. Most of the factories do not meet the safety standards and have not undergone fire safety audit," Vinod Kumar said.

These big and small factories are largely engaged in production of false ceiling, plastic articles, plastic paint and plywood and are scattered around in Rajajipuram, Jankipuram, Aliganj, Chinhat and Aishbagh areas of the capital of Uttar Pradesh.