Delhi's Coaching Centres: A Deadly Breach of Safety Norms

The Delhi High Court has scrutinized coaching centres in the capital after grave safety violations led to student casualties. Despite directives for safety compliance, many institutions operate without necessary fire precautions and certifications. Incidents like the recent flood-induced deaths and past fires stress the urgent need for enforcement.

A year after a fire at a multi-storey building in Mukherjee Nagar showed students leaping out of windows to escape flames, safety lapses at Delhi's coaching centres remain unabated.

Despite the Delhi High Court's orders, violations persist, questioning agency effectiveness. Recent tragedies have led to renewed scrutiny.

Many centres, housed in crammed lanes or high-rise structures, lack essential safety measures. Issues include faulty wiring, single exit routes, and misused spaces marked for parking.

The recent flooding incident, which claimed three lives, occurred because of storm drains clogged by street encroachers. Experts call for stringent inspection and compliance enforcement.

After fires and other disasters, the Delhi Fire Services revealed that only a fraction of 583 centres had proper fire safety certifications. Inspection results were dismal, and many centres failed to meet statutory requirements.

The high court has mandated closures for non-compliant establishments and prompted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to serve notices to errant institutions.