The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has sealed 13 illegally operated basements of coaching centres in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. This action comes a day after three civil service aspirants tragically died when they were trapped in the flooded basement of Rau’s IAS Study Centre during heavy rainfall. According to an MCD statement, these coaching centres were found to be violating regulations by operating in basements.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken action against the following 13 coaching centres- 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, Easy for IAS

Additionally, the MCD will establish a high-level committee to investigate the flooding of a basement in central Delhi, which resulted in the deaths of three civil service aspirants, an official said on Sunday.

A team from the civic body arrived in the Old Rajinder Nagar area on Sunday to seal several illegally operated basements of coaching centres, according to a statement by the Delhi government. An official noted that these establishments have been identified, and a crackdown against them has commenced.

Last year, the MCD conducted a survey of such coaching centres following a massive fire at an institute in Mukherjee Nagar, another coaching hub in north Delhi. The official said, “To begin with, the survey will be used to identify those flouting norms.”

Three civil services aspirants—two females and one male—died after the basement library of Rau’s IAS Study Circle flooded during heavy rain on Saturday night. The flooding reportedly caused the failure of the single biometric entry and exit point.

“A gross criminal negligence is found on the part of the owner of the institute in ensuring safety measures as the library in the basement was running illegally and had only one entry and exit point that was biometric-enabled and got locked due to the flooding,” the MCD official stated.

"The students could have escaped had the exit been free. The MCD only approves the building plan but if somebody misuses the basement for commercial activities after declaring it will be used for parking and storing purposes, what else can the agency do to ensure protection?" he said.

An official stated that storm drains in the area, which are designed to carry excess rainwater to larger drains, were covered by "encroachers on street-side" contributing to the flooding.

"Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has held a meeting of the officials in this regard and setting up of a high-level committee after talks with the Delhi government will be announced soon," another official informed.

Image source: PTI