Delhi coaching centre tragedy: What does investigative panel's report say?

New Delhi: Centre has established a committee to investigate the tragic deaths of Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nevin Dalwin, who drowned in the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety and infrastructure.

What did the invesitgation report revealed?

Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar submitted an inquiry report to city minister Atishi, highlighting multiple lapses by the coaching institute.

1. Blocked Drainage System

   • The report states that Rau's IAS Study Circle had completely blocked the drainage system and failed to implement additional safeguards against such emergencies.

2. Parking Area Issues

   • The parking access to the institute is directly exposed to the road. During heavy rains, instead of entering the stormwater drain, water flows directly into this parking area.

3. Lack of Vigilance

   • Security staff failed to monitor the situation, allowing water to flow uninterruptedly into the basement, leading to the tragic deaths of three students.

4. Road Profile Concerns

   • The road from Shankar Road to Pusa Road forms a saucer shape with the lowest point in front of the coaching institute. During peak rains, water accumulates in this 200-foot stretch. Passing vehicles cause splashes, exacerbating the flooding.

5. Water Accumulation

   • The road profile causes water to accumulate and push towards the parking area instead of entering the stormwater drain.

6. Covered Drainage System

   • Property owners have covered the drainage system with granites, marbles, and kota stones, blocking access to clean the drains. Manhole openings have also been covered, preventing maintenance.

Mininstry of Home Affairs responds

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formed a panel to investigate the deaths and propose solutions. The committee will identify the causes, fix responsibility, and recommend measures and policy changes to prevent such incidents in the future. An MHA spokesperson confirmed this on social media platform X.