The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken swift action following the tragic deaths of three IAS aspirants who drowned in a flooded basement coaching center. As part of a crackdown on unauthorized operations, 13 coaching centers in Old Rajinder Nagar have been shut down.
The incident occurred on Saturday when heavy rains led to flooding in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where a library was located. The flooding reportedly disabled the single biometric entry and exit point, trapping the students inside. Three aspiring civil servants, two women and one man, tragically lost their lives.
A statement released by the Delhi government on Sunday evening revealed that a team from the MCD had inspected the central Delhi coaching area to address centers operating from basements in violation of regulations. By the end of the day, 13 coaching centers had been sealed. The list of sealed centers includes IAS Gurukul, Chahal Academy, Plutus Academy, Sai Trading, IAS Setu, Topper’s Academy, Dainik Samvad, Civils Daily, IAS Career Power, 99 Notes, Vidya Guru, Guidance IAS, and Easy for IAS.
The MCD statement emphasized that the sealed centers were found to be operating illegally in basements. On-site notices were posted and the centers were immediately closed.
The police have also sealed the Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where the flooding incident occurred.
The MCD conducted a similar survey of coaching centers last year after a fire broke out at an institute in Mukharjee Nagar, another coaching hub in north Delhi. The objective of the survey was to identify institutions flouting regulations.
The MCD official pointed out that while the agency approves building plans, it cannot be held responsible for misuse of basements for commercial activities after they are declared for parking or storage. He emphasized the need for stricter safety measures, highlighting that the students could have escaped had the exit not been blocked due to the flooding. He specifically pointed out the lack of safety measures and the illegal operation of the library in the basement, which contributed to the tragedy.
This incident has once again brought to light the safety concerns within the competitive coaching industry, particularly in the densely populated coaching hubs of Delhi. The tragic loss of life underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and enforcement to ensure the safety of students and prevent future tragedies.
