How Delhi Coaching Centre's Disregard For Safety Norms Led To Fatal Flooding

Yesterday's tragedy at a coaching centre in Delhi's Rajinder Nagar, where three students lost their lives due to waterlogging in the basement, has brought to light serious violations and negligence.

The Rau's IAS Study Circle centre was using the basement as a library, despite the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) stipulating that it could only be used for storage or parking, reported NDTV.

Photo Credit: PTI

This contravention of rules was further underscored by the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from MCD in August 2021, which clearly stated the permitted uses.

Additionally, an NOC from the fire department earlier this month confirmed the building's compliance with fire safety requirements, but reiterated that the basement should adhere strictly to building bye-laws.

These regulations mandate proper drainage to prevent surface water from entering basements and require multiple exits if used for commercial purposes. However, the coaching centre's basement had only one entry/exit.

The heavy rain in Delhi resulted in the tragic deaths of three civil service aspirants - Tania Soni, Shreya Yadav, both 25, and Navin Delvin, 28, who were in the basement library at the time.

The incident has prompted Delhi mayor Shelly Oberoi to order a probe to determine any MCD officer's involvement in the negligence. She has also vowed to take action against all coaching centres violating regulations.

Police have registered a case involving charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and death due to negligence. The coaching centre's owner and coordinator have been arrested.

The incident has led to protests by students blaming civic negligence and has sparked a political blame-game, with the BJP accusing the ruling AAP of neglecting drainage issues in the area.

Meanwhile, AAP's local MLA Durgesh Pathak has slammed the saffron party for politicising the tragedy and questioned the role of BJP's councillor.