Delhi: Mayor calls for action against basement coaching centers

Delhi: A day after a tragic incident where three civil services aspirants died due to flooding in the basement of a coaching center, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has called for strict action against such commercial activities.

On Sunday, Oberoi directed the MCD commissioner to take stringent measures against coaching centers operating in basements within MCD’s jurisdiction, as these practices violate building regulations and norms.

The incident, which took place on Saturday, occurred when heavy rain caused the basement of a coaching center in central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar to flood, resulting in the deaths of the three students.

“Yesterday, some students were trapped in a private coaching institute in Rajinder Nagar due to flooding, and three of them lost their lives. This is very shocking. This incident needs a thorough investigation and the swiftest and strongest possible action,” Oberoi stated.

Oberoi emphasized the need to prevent such incidents in the future and called for an immediate inquiry to identify any responsible MCD officers.

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“If any official is found guilty, the strongest possible action should be taken against them,” she stressed.

The Delhi Fire Department (DFS) reported that they received a call from Rau’s IAS Study Circle at around 7 PM on Saturday regarding the flooding. The caller indicated that people might be trapped in the flooded basement.

“We are investigating how the entire basement flooded so quickly, trapping individuals inside,” said DCP (Central Delhi) M Harshavardhan.

Five fire tenders were dispatched to the scene, where they found the basement completely submerged.

Rescue operations, involving the NDRF, local police, and the fire department, led to the retrieval of the bodies of two female students and one male student. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the deceased.

The rescue operation extended past midnight, with efforts to pump out water from the basement, which remained at a depth of 7 feet, continuing, according to DCP Harshavardhan.

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In a related incident earlier this week, a 26-year-old civil services aspirant was electrocuted after touching an iron gate during heavy rain in central Delhi’s Patel Nagar area……