Delhi Coaching Centre Violations: Basement Library & Safety Lapses

Delhi Coaching Centre Violations: Basement Library, Safety Lapses & Fatal Flooding

A tragic incident at Rau’s IAS Study Circle, a prominent Delhi coaching centre, highlights severe safety violations. Three civil service aspirants, Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Navin Dalwin, lost their lives due to flooding in the centre’s basement. This disaster underscores the critical need for regulatory compliance in educational institutions.

Illegal Basement Use at Rau’s IAS Study Circle

Rau’s IAS Study Circle utilized its basement as a library, despite civic authorities permitting its use solely as storage. The coaching centre’s basement lacked proper drainage and fire safety measures, contributing to the flooding disaster.

Regulatory Failures

1. Basement Regulations: Unified Building Bye-Laws 2016 outline specific rules for basement usage. Basements must adhere to strict construction and safety guidelines, including adequate drainage, ventilation, and structural integrity.
2. Violation of Usage Permits: Rau’s IAS Study Circle had a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a three-storey building and stilt parking, but not for using the basement as a library.

Safety Regulations for Educational Institutions

Building Bye-Laws for Basements:

1. Height and Width Requirements: Basements must be at least 2.4 meters high and wide.
2. Ventilation and Drainage: Proper ventilation and drainage systems are mandatory to prevent water accumulation and structural damage.
3. Waterproofing: Basement walls and floors should be watertight to resist moisture ingress.
4. Emergency Access: Basements must have multiple access points for safety.

Safety Violations at Rau’s IAS Study Circle:

• No Drainage Facilities: The basement lacked proper drainage, which exacerbated the flooding.
• Single Entry and Exit: A single access point hindered evacuation during the emergency.

The Coaching Industry in Delhi

Delhi is a major hub for coaching institutes, with an estimated market size of Rs 58,088 crore. The civil services coaching sector alone contributes Rs 3,000 crore. Despite the significant revenue, safety and regulatory compliance in many coaching centres remain inadequate.

Recent GST Figures: The GST collection from coaching institutions has surged from Rs 2,240.73 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 5,517.45 crore in 2023-24, reflecting the industry’s growth.

Government Response and Compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have assured full support for the affected families. A compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be provided for each deceased individual, and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

Calls for Reform:

• Increased Oversight: There is a pressing need for stricter enforcement of building and safety regulations.
• Student Safety: Enhanced measures are essential to protect students in educational institutions.

Student Protests and Public Outcry

The incident has led to widespread protests from students and the public, demanding stricter safety regulations and accountability for negligence.

For further updates and information on safety regulations in educational institutions, stay tuned to our news portal.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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