Delhi Coaching Centre Flooding: 5 Arrested Following Deaths Of UPSC Aspirants

Two days after the flooding of a basement in Delhi's Rajinder Nagar left three IAS aspirants dead, civic authorities have started bulldozer action in the area to remove encroachments blocking drains and contributing to the waterlogging problem.

A video tweeted by news agency ANI showed an earthmover at work to drill and remove blocks of cement blocking the drains.

Photo Credit: PTI

Students protesting against the three deaths and criticizing civic authorities for their negligence see this bulldozer action as "too little, too late." One student remarked, "All this is for show."

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is under fire over the tragic incident in which two women, aged 25, and a 28-year-old man died after they were trapped in the basement library of Rau's IAS Study Circle in Rajinder Nagar.

#WATCH | Earth movers put into action to remove encroachment over drains in Delhis Old Rajinder Nagar after the incident of death of 3 UPSC aspirants due to drowning in an IAS coaching institute pic.twitter.com/NR6sjw5a7b

— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2024

The library was operating in violation of the rules, as the civic body had only allowed its use for parking and storage.

About 20 students were in the library on Saturday evening when heavy rain caused water to gush in.

The basement had only one entry/exit route. Some reports indicate that the flooding disabled the biometric authentication system, trapping the students.While 17 were rescued in time, three drowned. The victims have been identified as Tanya Soni, Shreya Yadav, and Navin Dalwin.

The incident has sparked massive outrage, with students accusing the civic authorities of negligence despite several warnings that blocked drains and encroachments could lead to a tragedy.

In the aftermath of the incident, the civic body has cracked down and sealed 13 IAS coaching centres for alleged violation of building norms.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has ordered an inquiry to identify if any MCD official is involved in the negligence.