A tragic incident occurred yesterday evening (July 27) in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi. Due to flooding in the basement of RAU's IAS Study Circle, two female students and one male student lost their lives. The library of the coaching center is situated in the basement where civil service aspirants were studying. Due to heavy rainfall, the main road in front of the coaching center got flooded. Around 6:30 PM, the water from the road started seeping into the basement of RAU's IAS Coaching Center.
According to police officials, at the time the basement began to flood, 35 students were present. Initially, the coaching center staff and students attempted to rescue those trapped in the basement. Most managed to escape, but a few were trapped inside. As the water level rose rapidly, the police and fire brigade were alerted. About 30 minutes later, the rescue team arrived at the site, but by then, the basement of the coaching center was completely flooded.
Rescue Efforts Required the NDRF Team
The rescue operation was hampered by darkness. As the situation worsened, the NDRF was called in. The NDRF started to flush out the water from the basement using pumps. Divers initiated the search and found three bodies inside. Some students from RAU's IAS Coaching Center reported that apart from the library, there is also a classroom in the basement. There is only one entry and exit point in the basement. The coaching center building is approximately 400 square yards. The ground floor is used for parking, and the other four floors accommodate classrooms and other facilities.
The students mentioned that the coaching center and basement get flooded every time it rains. Yet, no permanent solution is implemented. Another student said that 80% of coaching centers in Old Rajendra Nagar have their libraries in the basement. Just 10 minutes of rain causes water to accumulate here. The MCD has not taken any action. The Delhi Aam Aadmi Party government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into this incident. Delhi minister Atishi stated that strict action will be taken against those whose negligence led to this tragedy.
Possibility of Incident Due to Drainage Break or Pipe Burst
Delhi Mayor Shaili Oberoi also visited the site. She said that if MCD's fault is found, the guilty officials will not be spared. It is suspected that a broken drainage wall or a pipe burst caused the basement flooding in the coaching center. Investigation is underway. At the same time, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj held the Aam Aadmi Party government and MCD responsible for the incident. Former BJP councilor of Rajendra Nagar, Rajesh Bhatia, had raised the issue of unsanitary nallahs in the area on social media a few days ago.
Bhatia mentioned that he had informed the local Aam Aadmi Party MLA Durgesh Pathak about the uncleared drains, but no action was taken. It's notable that the Aam Aadmi Party is also in power in the Delhi Municipal Corporation, and Durgesh Pathak is the MCD in-charge of Old Rajendra Nagar. AAP MLA Pathak expressed grief over the incident and suggested that a broken drain or pipe might have led to the basement flooding. He stressed that politics should not be played over this unfortunate incident.
Action If MCD's Negligence Is Found
Durgesh Pathak stated that the Aam Aadmi Party has been in MCD power for just one year, while BJP had control for the last 15 years. He questioned why the BJP did not fix the sewage lines during their tenure. He acknowledged that the entire Delhi's sewer system can't be fixed in one year, but efforts are being made to improve it. The AAP MLA emphasized that the true cause of the incident will be revealed after the investigation. If MCD's negligence is found, action will be taken against those responsible.
