Delhi Coaching Centre Basement Flooding: Violations and Fatalities

Delhi Coaching Centre Flouted Norms, Leading to Tragic Flooding

In a heartbreaking incident early Sunday, three students lost their lives due to a severe flooding event at the Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar. The basement, intended for storage, was being used as a library, violating building norms.

Violation of Building Norms

The Rau’s IAS Study Circle received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) earlier this month. The certificate authorized a three-storeyed structure with a stilt parking space and a basement designated strictly for storage. However, the basement was repurposed into a library, contravening building regulations.

The Incident

On Saturday evening, heavy rains caused significant waterlogging on Bada Bazar Road, leading to severe flooding in the basement. The Delhi Fire Service received an alert at around 7 pm about students trapped in the flooded basement. Firefighters, police, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) launched a rescue operation.

Rescue and Recovery

Despite the swift response, the bodies of three students, identified as Tania Soni (25), Shreya Yadav (25), and Nevin Dalwin (28), were recovered by 4 am Sunday. About 10 to 12 students were rescued during the operation.

Legal Action

The owner and coordinator of the coaching centre have been arrested and charged with culpable homicide and negligence. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has ordered action against all coaching centres operating from basements, citing violations of building bye-laws.

Future Implications

This tragic event underscores the importance of adhering to safety norms in educational institutions. The Delhi Fire Department has emphasized that coaching centres must comply with fire safety regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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