Tragedy in Delhi Coaching Center: The Heartbreaking Incident of Three Student Deaths
Every year, thousands of students from all corners of the country come to Delhi to prepare for IAS and other competitive exams, leaving their homes behind. They study in various coaching institutes here, but the flooding of a coaching center basement led to the tragic death of three students on Saturday.
The death of three students in a Delhi coaching center has caused an uproar. Questions are being raised about the government, administration, and coaching center authorities. Students are out on the streets, and police teams are taking action. However, the sequence of events that led to this tragedy is shocking. Everyone is wondering how water entered the coaching center’s basement in the first place.
On Saturday evening, a very tragic incident occurred in the posh area of Old Rajendra Nagar, the national capital. The basement of a well-known IAS coaching center (RAU’s IAS Study Circle) suddenly flooded with dirty sewage water, leading to the death of three students. The deceased included two female students and one male student, hailing from Kerala, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. The bodies have been kept at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Mortuary. The tragic death of three students has sparked outrage among other students, leading to protests. The police are currently trying to pacify these students.
The police have detained the owner and coordinator of the Rajendra Nagar coaching center’s basement following this incident. Officials have also stated that no one responsible for this tragedy will be spared. The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter. The government and administration are currently investigating and taking action. However, everyone is left wondering how such an incident occurred in a major coaching center. The students who died were not children, so why couldn’t they escape? Were the necessary regulations not followed in the coaching center? How did so much water suddenly enter the basement? Let’s delve into the entire incident.
How and When Did Water Enter the Coaching Center Basement?
According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), they received a call about waterlogging in the ‘RAU’s IAS Study Circle’ coaching center around 7 PM on Saturday. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Delhi), M. Harshvardhan, also stated that they received information about waterlogging in the basement of a coaching institute around 7 PM. The caller mentioned that some people might be trapped there. Subsequently, police and other teams reached the site and began rescue operations. The main question on everyone’s mind was how the entire basement got filled with water.
Rescue Operations: Initial Efforts with Ropes
Police officials reported that around 35 students were present in the basement when water entered the coaching center. The basement housed a library where they were studying. Upon receiving the information, police and fire brigade personnel started rescuing the trapped individuals. Initially, ropes were used to rescue the students trapped in the basement.
Single Exit Path from the Basement
However, the waterlogging in the basement was so severe that the rescue operation took a lot of time. Initially, five fire engines were dispatched to the scene. As the situation appeared more critical, the NDRF team was also called in. Upon the arrival of the NDRF team, the process of flushing out the water from the basement began. Divers were also brought in to expedite the rescue of the students trapped in the coaching center’s library.
400-Square-Yard Coaching Center: Shocking Negligence Uncovered
During this period, the negligence of the coaching center management was also revealed. The library in the basement had only one exit. The entire coaching center is built on approximately 400 square yards. However, there was only one exit through the stairs from the library. This is likely why the students couldn’t escape when dirty water suddenly entered the center.
Students Alleged Delay in Rescue Operation
Several students alleged that there was a delay in starting the rescue operation. Initially, the coaching center tried to suppress the matter. However, when the situation worsened, the police and fire department were informed. This is why the fire brigade received the information at 7 PM. By the time the rescue operation started, the news of the students’ deaths had already started to come in. Officials confirmed that the rescue operation conducted by the NDRF, local police, and fire department resulted in the recovery of the bodies of two female students and one male student.
Students Raised Questions on Government
The death of students in the coaching center’s library has led to outrage among the students. They have targeted the government and administration. One student said, “Why does no one from the government come forward? There is no one to take responsibility. We want someone from the government to come here and take responsibility for all the students who have lost their lives. How can they improve anyone’s future by tweeting or writing letters from their air-conditioned rooms?”
Coaching Operated in Basement Ignoring Rules
One student studying in Delhi said that every year, during the rainy season, they have to wade through knee-deep water to reach the coaching center. The rule states that coaching cannot be conducted in the basement. Despite this, hundreds of libraries and coaching centers operate in the basement. Today, the students died due to waterlogging; tomorrow, they might die due to a fire incident.
Water Entered Coaching Center Due to Broken Sewer or Drain?
The tragic incident at the famous Delhi coaching center has also sparked political controversy. AAP leader Durgesh Pathak stated that this is a low-lying area, and water flows near the coaching center. There is a possibility that a sewer or drain broke, leading to waterlogging in the coaching center’s basement. He questioned the BJP, stating that they had a councilor in the area for the past 15 years, so why wasn’t the drain constructed? It is not possible to construct all the drains in a year. There is no need to politicize this matter.
Not Just 3, 10 People Died: Claim by Agitated Student
One agitated student claimed that the MCD calls it a disaster, but he would call it complete negligence. Knee-deep water accumulates after just half an hour of rain. Disasters are occasional events. His landlord had been asking the councilor for the past 10-12 days to clean the drain. The student demanded immediate action against those responsible and accurate information on the number of injured and deceased. Disaster management personnel told him that 8-10 people had died.
Owner and Coordinator Detained in Coaching Center Basement Incident
The owner and coordinator of the Old Rajendra Nagar coaching center basement incident have been detained. Delhi Police provided this information. DCP Harshvardhan stated that the rescue operation is complete. Three bodies were recovered from the basement, and they have been identified. A case has been registered under relevant sections at Rajendra Nagar police station. Two individuals related to the management of the coaching center building system and drainage system have been detained. The investigation is ongoing. Delhi government minister Atishi has directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to start an investigation and submit a report within 24 hours. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate how the incident occurred. No one responsible for this incident will be spared.
Dream of Becoming IAS Shattered for These Students
Thousands of students come to Delhi from all corners of the country to prepare for IAS and other exams, but the dreams of these three students were shattered before they could become IAS officers. Let’s learn about the three young students who fell victim to this tragedy:
Shreya Yadav
Shreya Yadav was a diligent and dedicated student. She was from Ambedkar Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh and came to Delhi with the hope of succeeding in the prestigious UPSC exam. Her family lives in Ambedkar Nagar. Shreya’s uncle was present outside the hospital in Delhi where her body was undergoing a post-mortem at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Her father lives in Uttar Pradesh. After the post-mortem, doctors informed her family that Shreya died due to the entry of dirty water into her body, causing her to suffocate in the building’s basement. Police said her organs were damaged due to the dirty water.
The police handed over the student’s body to her family after the post-mortem. According to reports, her family has left for their hometown in Uttar Pradesh with her body.
Tania Soni
25-year-old Tania Soni was originally from Aurangabad, Bihar. Her family currently resides in Telangana. Police said the family’s home is in the Nabibnagar area of Aurangabad. Her post-mortem is also complete. Her father is now taking her body back to their hometown. Her body was recovered from the basement a few hours after the rescue operation began.
Naveen Delvin
28-year-old Naveen Delvin died due to waterlogging in the coaching center’s basement. He was from Ernakulam, Kerala. His body was the last to be recovered from the basement. Firefighters recovered his body late Saturday night. His home in Kerala is in mourning.
Condition of Coaching Centers in Delhi: What Do the Rules Say?
Delhi, being a major city, is home to numerous coaching centers. Every year, lakhs of students come here to prepare for IAS, IIT, medical, and other competitive exams. However, questions have always been raised about the condition and safety measures of these coaching centers. According to the rules, coaching centers cannot operate in basements, especially in areas prone to waterlogging.
Measures to Prevent Such Incidents in the Future
This incident has highlighted the neglect of safety standards in coaching centers. Here are some measures that can be taken
to prevent such tragedies in the future:
- Regular Safety Inspections: Authorities should conduct regular safety inspections of coaching centers to ensure they comply with safety standards.
- Strict Enforcement of Rules: Strict action should be taken against coaching centers operating in basements or other unsafe locations.
- Emergency Preparedness: Coaching centers should have proper emergency plans and conduct regular drills to prepare students and staff for emergencies.
- Proper Drainage Systems: Ensure that the surrounding areas of coaching centers have proper drainage systems to prevent waterlogging.
- Awareness Campaigns: Conduct awareness campaigns for students and coaching center management about safety measures and emergency response.