Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar Submerged Again After Heavy Rain, Student Safety at Risk

Heavy rain on Wednesday evening caused severe flooding in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area, where three students recently died in a basement flood at a coaching centre. Commuters struggled through waterlogged streets, fearing for their safety. Several videos emerged showing the flood-like conditions in the area, which is home to many coaching centres.

Protests and Safety Concerns

Students, drenched from the rain, have been protesting since the incident on July 27. They stood in thigh-high water, shouting slogans. A resident mentioned, "We had come out for dinner when it suddenly started raining, and within minutes, the whole area was flooded." The administration and MCD are accused of suppressing protests rather than addressing the drainage issues.

The protesting students demand better safety measures at coaching centres. A civil services aspirant involved in the protests stated, "There is sparking in the electric poles. Rainwater is gushing into the basements. Students are worried about their safety in such a situation." Another student noted that despite claims of drain cleaning by the MCD, conditions remain unchanged.

Political Reactions and Actions

The BJP criticised the AAP for not learning from the recent tragedy. Meanwhile, AAP shared videos of its MLA from the area, Durgesh Pathak, assisting people and ensuring water was being pumped out. In a video posted on X by AAP, Pathak could be seen wading through water with some students.

Delhi BJP leader Rajesh Bhatia also criticised Pathak on X, stating, "MLA Durgesh Pathak has still not learnt his lesson. God forbid some untoward incident happens due to increased waterlogging." The BJP's attack comes amid ongoing concerns about inadequate drainage and safety measures.

MCD's Response and Criticism

The AAP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has faced significant criticism following the incident. The MCD claimed to have cleaned all drains and removed encroachments over stormwater drains. However, knee-deep water accumulated again after the recent rain, highlighting persistent issues.

On Saturday, three civil service aspirants died after the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar flooded due to rain. This tragic event has intensified demands for improved infrastructure and safety measures to prevent future incidents.

The situation remains tense as students continue to protest and demand action from authorities. The recent flooding has underscored ongoing concerns about infrastructure and safety in areas with high concentrations of coaching centres.