The World Opinion

Tag: Delhi Coaching Flood

  • Rau IAS Study Centre Mishap: How Delhi Coaching Violated Safety Norms |

    NEW DELHI: A day after the tragic incident in the coaching centre of Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar, where the flooding of the basement resulted in the death of at least three UPSC aspirants, it has emerged that the institute flouted the key guidelines and norms, as outlined by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The basement, which was cleared for usage as a parking space or for storage of household goods, was turned into a library.

    The Rau’s IAS Study Centre got this Completion/Occupancy certificate from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation in August 2021. The certificate, a copy of which is with the IANS, shows that guidelines were clearly laid out for the three-storey building. Ground to the Second floor was allocated for office use while the Stilt (Ground) and basement were earmarked for car parking and household storage.

    The coaching centre, in a blatant violation of norms, converted the basement into a library, thereby putting the lives of students at risk.
    This happened despite knowing the fact that the area was prone to waterlogging. Kishore, a student of the coaching institute, also told IANS that he got a complaint lodged against the IAS coaching centre for illegally running a library from the basement.

    He said that the institute didn’t have NOC from fire and other concerned departments and this could lead to mishappening on any given day. As heavy rains lashed the capital on Saturday, the area turned into a sinkhole because of waterlogging and flooding in the locality. According to students, the library had a biometric system inside the library. Without finger verification, no student could either enter or exit the area. As the drainage water started to fill in the basement-turned-library, the biometric system malfunctioned and went off. The trapped students couldn’t come outside due to the breakdown of the power supply.

    It was only after the uproar by students, after a long gap, that the suction pumps were brought in and started lifting water out of the basement. Three civil service aspirants who died in the tragic mishap were identified as Tania Soni, Shreya Yadav (both 25 years old) and Navin Delvin (28).

    Meanwhile, Delhi mayor Shelly Oberoi has ordered a probe into the tragic demise of students and also called for a clampdown on all basements running illegal study centres.

  • Delhi UPSC Coaching Basement Flood: Rau’s IAS Karol Bagh Coordinator, Building Owner Detained | Latest Updates |

    New Delhi: The Delhi Police have detained the coordinator of Rau’s IAS centre and the owner of the building in Old Rajinder Nagar following the tragic flooding in the centre’s basement, which resulted in the deaths of three students, including two women. The arrested individuals have been identified as the owner, Abhishek Gupta, and the coordinator, Deshpal Singh. The detentions were made after a criminal case was filed post the completion of search and rescue operations early Sunday.

    Here Are Latest Updates:

    – The flooding at Rau’s IAS centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, which claimed the lives of three students, was caused by the bursting of a nearby drain, rapidly inundating the basement library area. According to reports by Zee News TV, the library had only a single exit equipped with biometric identification. The failure of this system during the incident prevented the trapped students from escaping.

    – Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Services, recounted the rescue efforts following the flooding at Rau’s IAS centre in Karol Bagh. “At around 7:10 pm yesterday, we received a call about heavy rain in the area and children trapped in a basement. When we arrived, the basement was full of water.” He added that the team tried to pump out the water, but the water from the road water kept flowing in, prolonging the process.

    – “Once the road water receded, we managed to reduce the basement water level from 12 feet to 8 feet and retrieved the students’ bodies. The rescue operation is now complete, and all water has been pumped out. The reasons for water entering the basement and the operation of a class there are under inquiry,” City’s fire official told ANI.

    – The three deceased have been identified as Navin Dalwin from Kerala, Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, and Tanya Soni.

    – According to Zee News TV, the basement, which had received clearance from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to function as a storage unit, was operating as a full-fledged library despite being allotted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) specifically for storage purposes.

    – In response to the incident, several students have gathered outside the centre, protesting and demanding immediate action against those responsible. Also Read: Protests Continue After 3 IAS Aspirants Killed In Delhi Coaching Basement Flood | Video

    – Mayor Shelly Oberoi has instructed the MCD Commissioner to take immediate action against all coaching centres operating commercially in basements across Delhi that violate building bye-laws. She has ordered an urgent inquiry to identify any MCD officers responsible for the recent tragedy, emphasising that any guilty officials should face the strongest possible penalties.

    – Delhi Minister Atishi has called for a magisterial enquiry, requesting a report from the Chief Secretary within 24 hours.