Days after three IAS aspirants died in rain-induced flood in the basement of Rau’s coaching centre, an enquiry report by the Delhi Chief Secretary on Tuesday highlighted that the institute had completely blocked the drainage system and, unlike other similarly placed properties, had not constructed a barrier wall to prevent water from entering the building.
Meanwhile, students continued to protest for the third consecutive day against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Rau’s management. One of the protesting students said ten IAS aspirants have started an indefinite hunger strike demanding compensation of `five crore to the victims’ families. In his report to the Delhi Minister Atishi, Naresh Kumar has mentioned that the property users in the area have constructed ramps over the entire width of the plot, thereby blocking the entry of storm water during heavy rain into the existing drainage system for the sake of convenience.
“The opening in the shape of the manhole over the drainage system has also been covered with finishing items, thus leaving no scope for cleaning of the drains. They have covered the existing, built up section of drainage system by putting granites, marbles and kota stones,” it stated.
The report said the road from Shankar Road to Pusa Road is in saucer shape with the lowest point in front of the Rau’s (IAS) Coaching Institute, where the incident happened. During peak rain, water accumulates in this stretch of 200 feet and whenever vehicles pass through this stretch there is a huge splash of water which aggravates the situation. “The plinth level of this property is also lower in comparison to the adjoining properties,” it stated.
On the day of the incident, the gate of the institute broke down after a SUV car, whose driver has been arrested and sent to 14-day judicial custody, passed through the waterlogged area causing the pressure of water to break down the gate, causing the water to gush into the basement.
The report said, “This coaching institute has completely blocked the drainage system and also has not taken additional safeguard to meet such eventualities. The parking access to the institute is directly exposed to the road and in case of heavy rain water instead of going into the storm water drain enters the parking area.”
This is unlike the other similarly placed properties that have constructed a barrier wall which ensures that in case of heavy waterlogging in the area, the water may not enter into the parking area and basement.
“There was no vigil on the part of security staff as a result water uninterruptedly crossed the parking area and entered into the basement and ultimately taking the precious life of three bright children,” it said.
Meanwhile, civil services aspirants and locals continued their protest outside Rau’s coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar against the MCD and management of Rau’s IAS Study Circle.
“We will continue our protest against coaching centres which are not following rules and putting the lives of many students like us in danger,” a protester Ayush said.
He said a few police officers were advising students to go home and prepare for their exams. “We are planning to hold a candle march and start a hunger strike until all our demands are met,” he added.
Another student Satyam Singh said, “Our demands are immediate compensation for the family members of the victim from Rau’s IAS Study Circle on moral grounds and strict action against those responsible for the safety and security lapse.”
“Somewhere we had a brief hope that the administration will listen to us, we will be heard, heard by the UPSC coaching lobby, heard by the authority, but after four days we have come to a realisation that this protest is going nowhere,” said a woman, who is on a hunger strike.
Heavy police deployment has been made in the area to maintain law and order. According to officials, Rau’s IAS Study Circle was illegally using the basement of the building as a library. Locals have alleged that the drainage system in the area was heavily clogged with silt.
