Last Updated on 28/07/2024 by Ankita Jain
A tragic incident took place yesterday evening (27 July) in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi. Two girl students and one boy student died due to water logging in the basement of Rao IAS Coaching Center located here. Actually, the coaching center’s library was built in the basement of the building, where students preparing for civil services were studying. Due to heavy rains, the main road in front of the coaching center was flooded. Around 6:30 pm, the water on the road suddenly started filling in the basement of Rao IAS Coaching Center.
According to police officials, 35 students were present in the basement when water entered it. At first, the coaching centre staff and the students present there started efforts to rescue the people trapped in the basement. Most of them were able to get out, but some got stuck inside. Due to the rapid filling of water, the police and fire brigade were informed. The rescue team reached the spot after about 30 minutes, by then the basement of the coaching centre was completely filled with water.
NDRF team had to be called for rescue
Due to darkness, there was difficulty in rescue. When the situation worsened, NDRF had to be called. NDRF started flushing out water from the basement with the help of a pump. When divers started searching, three bodies were found inside. Some students studying in Rao IAS Coaching Center told that apart from the library, a class room is also built in the basement. There is only one way to come and go to the basement. The building of the coaching center is built in about 400 yards. There is parking on the ground floor and space has been provided for other works apart from class rooms on four floors.
Students said that every time it rains, water accumulates in front of the coaching centre and in the basement. But nothing is done for its permanent solution. Another student said that in 80% of the coaching centres in Old Rajendra Nagar, the library is built in the basement. Water accumulates here in 10 minutes of rain. MCD has not taken any action on this. Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into this accident. Delhi Minister Atishi said that strict action will be taken against those whose negligence has caused this incident.
There is a possibility of an accident due to breakage of drain or bursting of pipe
Delhi Mayor Shaili Oberoi also reached the spot. She said that if MCD is found to be at fault, the guilty officials will not be spared. There is a possibility of water filling in the basement of the coaching center due to the breaking of the drain wall or bursting of the pipe. This is being investigated. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj, who reached the spot, put the Aam Aadmi Party government of Delhi and the MCD in the dock. Former BJP councilor of Rajendra Nagar, Rajesh Bhatia, had raised the issue of the drains not being cleaned in the area on social media a few days ago.
He said that I had informed the local Aam Aadmi Party MLA Durgesh Pathak about the drains not being cleaned, but he did not pay any attention to it. Let us tell you that Aam Aadmi Party is also in power in Delhi Municipal Corporation and Durgesh Pathak is the MCD in-charge of Old Rajendra Nagar. AAP MLA Pathak expressed grief over this incident and expressed the fear of water filling in the basement due to the breakage of drain or pipe. On the allegations of BJP leaders, he said that there should be no politics on this unfortunate accident.
If negligence of MCD is found then action will be taken
Durgesh Pathan said that Aam Aadmi Party has come to power in MCD only a year ago. Before that, BJP was in power in MCD for 15 years. Questions are also raised on BJP that why they did not get the sewage line repaired in 15 years. The sewage line of entire Delhi cannot be repaired in one year. We are trying to improve the sewage system. Aam Aadmi Party MLA said that the real reason of the accident will come out only after investigation. If negligence of MCD is found then action will be taken against the culprits.