Delhi Chief Secretary submits general enquiry report on Old Rajinder Nagar coaching centre tragedy to Delhi Water Minister Atishi

New Delhi [India], July 30 : Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar submitted a general inquiry report to Delhi Minister Atishi on Tuesday, following the deaths of three UPSC aspirants who drowned in the flooded basement library of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar.
The report was prepared by Superintending Engineer (SE) Ajay Kumar Nagpal.
The report stated, "This road is notified as a commercial street under MPD. Consequently, most properties have been converted into commercial establishments. For convenience, property users have constructed ramps over the entire width of the plot, blocking the entry of stormwater into the existing drainage system during rains."
Further, the report noted that property owners have covered the existing drainage system (2.50x3.00 feet) with granites, marbles, or kota stones. The openings in the shape of manholes over the drainage system have also been covered with finishing materials, leaving no scope for cleaning the drains.
The report explained that the profile of the road from Shankar Road to Pusa Road is saucer-shaped, with the lowest point in front of Rau's IAS Coaching Institute. During heavy rains, water accumulates in this 200-foot stretch. Vehicles passing through this area cause splashes, exacerbating the situation. The plinth level of this property is also lower than that of the adjoining properties.
In the event of intense rain, the road's profile causes all water to accumulate in this region. The water, which should enter the stormwater drain and then the barrel, instead flows towards the parking area. This coaching institute has completely blocked the drainage system and has not taken additional safeguards to address such eventualities.
"The parking access to the institute is directly exposed to the road. In cases of heavy rain, water enters directly into this parking area instead of the stormwater drain. Other similarly placed properties have constructed barrier walls to ensure that, in case of heavy waterlogging, the water does not enter the parking area and basement," the report said.
It further highlighted that there was no vigil on the part of the security staff, resulting in uninterrupted water flow into the basement, ultimately leading to the deaths of three students.
As per information gathered from the site, heavy rain on the evening of July 27, 2024, caused a heavy gush of water to fill the basement of the property completely. The basement, observed to be used for purposes other than storage, had numerous workstations/cubicles in violation of the basement usage norms of MPD-2021 and UBB-216. This violation by the property owner, combined with the entrance gate's biometric/access control lock system, prevented the students from exiting on time, leading to their deaths.
The report stated, "The exact cause of excess water cannot be ascertained by the Building Department, Karol Bagh Zone, as several factors may have contributed to the heavy water flow in the basement. However, the Assistant Engineer (M-1)/KBZ responsible for maintaining the drainage system in the area has been suspended with immediate effect, and the services of the Junior Engineer (M-)/KBZ have been terminated forthwith. The Executive Engineer (M-l) has been show-caused for an explanation of the incident."
Regarding the Magisterial Inquiry Report, the Chief Secretary mentioned that the District Magistrate would submit a detailed report soon.
The Chief Secretary further requested Delhi Minister Atishi to issue necessary directions on pending reports/files, including the above-mentioned report dated March 15, 2024.
Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary, the Police Commissioner, and the MCD Commissioner on Tuesday, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The NHRC also directed a survey to identify the number of such institutes and coaching centres operating in violation of prescribed norms in the national capital and to take action against negligent officers failing to address these irregularities.