Delhi IAS coaching centers that are illegally sealed in basements

A day after sudden flooding in the basement of a Delhi IAS coaching centre killed three students, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has started sealing coaching centres in the Rajinder Nagar area that are found violating rules. A team from the civic body conducted searches at several coaching centres in the area on Sunday and sealed institutes that were running commercial activities in the basement, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi said.

"After yesterday's tragic incident, MCD has started the process of sealing all the coaching centres in Rajinder Nagar that were violating rules in the basement! If necessary, this campaign will be run all over Delhi!," the Mayor wrote on X. 

Earlier today, Oberoi directed the MCD Commissioner to take "strict action" against all coaching centres across Delhi which are under the jurisdiction of the civic body and running commercial activities in basements, which are in violation of building bye-laws. She also said that an immediate enquiry will be conducted to identify if any officers of MCD are responsible for the incident at Rau's IAS Study Circle, where the students lost their lives. "If any official is found guilty, the strongest possible action will be taken against them," she said in a statement earlier.

The Municipal Corporation has come under fire for not ensuring proper enforcement of building norms in the national capital after the incident. The ABVP activists staged a protest outside the Mayor's residence on Sunday, demanding she be held responsible for the students' deaths.

Last year, after a massive fire at an IAS coaching institute in Mukherjee Nagar, a survey of such coaching centres violating building rules was initiated. However, it is alleged that the civic body's action was stopped mid-way. 

Three Civil Service aspirants--two females and a male--died after a library housed in the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle flooded during heavy rain on Saturday night. The initial probe found that neither the institute nor the road opposite the building had a proper drainage system. Additionally, the coaching centre did not have permission to run a library in the basement.

The tragic incident has highlighted the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building regulations and safety standards in educational institutions. Many coaching centres in Delhi operate from basements and other unauthorized areas, often ignoring safety protocols. This negligence not only endangers the lives of students but also poses significant risks during emergencies such as floods or fires.

In the wake of the tragedy, there have been calls for a comprehensive review of all coaching centres in the city to ensure compliance with safety norms. Parents and students are also urged to verify the credentials and safety measures of coaching centres before enrolling.

The MCD's actions in sealing the violators and initiating enquiries are steps in the right direction, but long-term solutions and stricter oversight will be crucial in preventing such incidents in the future. As the city mourns the loss of three young lives, the hope is that this incident will lead to significant reforms and heightened awareness about the importance of safety in educational institutions.