MCD Cracks Down on Coaching Centres After UPSC Aspirants' Deaths

The MCD sealed seven more basements of coaching centres in Central Delhi's Old Rajendra Nagar and one each in North West Delhi's Rajdhani Enclave and East Delhi's Preet Vihar on Tuesday. This action follows the death of three UPSC aspirants in the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle. Since Sunday, the civic body has targeted 29 basements of coaching institutes for allegedly violating MCD building by-laws.

Sealing Drive in Various Locations

During the latest sealing drive, the MCD targeted two basements of coaching centres in Preet Vihar and Rajdhani Enclave. The affected centres were Sanskriti Academy and Pratham Institute, respectively. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi was present at the Preet Vihar site as the agency cracked down on illegally operating basements.

In Rajinder Nagar, the coaching centres that faced action on Tuesday included IAS Gurukul Tathastu, Officers IAS Academy, Forum IAS, Psyche World IAS, Sanchetna IAS, Prisha IAS, Path Academy, and Drishti IAS. The MCD's public health department also inspected 78 paying guest accommodations and 13 guest houses in Old Rajender Nagar for mosquito breeding.

Previous Sealing Actions

The drive was simultaneously conducted in Mukherjee Nagar and Rajinder Nagar localities. By Monday night, 20 basements of coaching centres had been sealed for running commercial activities. On Sunday, 13 establishments were sealed in Rajinder Nagar, followed by six more on Tuesday. Additionally, one basement of a coaching institute in Mukherjee Nagar was sealed on Monday.

The action comes after flooding in the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle in Rajinder Nagar led to the death of three civil services aspirants on Saturday. This incident prompted the MCD to intensify its crackdown on coaching centres operating without adhering to building regulations.

The civic body's efforts aim to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent such tragic incidents from recurring.