Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Basement Constructions After Tragic Delhi Incident

Following a fatal waterlogging accident at Rau's IAS coaching institute in Delhi, authorities have initiated strict inspections of basements. Issuing directives, senior officials emphasized compliance with approved construction standards, aiming to prevent future tragedies. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) formed a committee to investigate and recommend preventive measures.

In response to the tragic accident resulting in the loss of lives due to waterlogging at Rau's IAS coaching institute in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, the Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Nitin Gokarn, on Tuesday issued strict directives to halt illegal activities in basements.

Gokarn mandated the creation of a team comprising junior engineers, assistant engineers, and zonal officers to conduct intensive and regular inspections of basement construction activities. The aim is to ensure that the use of basements adheres to approved standards and maps. 'Identify such constructions and ensure action against those where basements are constructed without map approval or contrary to the approved map,' Gokarn instructed.

He emphasized that no excavation should occur during the monsoon for approved basement maps and that such excavations must follow proper safety measures to protect residents, laborers, and others. Responsibility will lie with the inspection team and authorities across regulated areas.

Following the deaths of three students at the Delhi coaching center, other district administrations are on high alert. The District Magistrate of Patna has ordered an investigation of all coaching centers in Patna. Concurrently, the Tis Hazari court sent the accused in the case of Rau's IAS to 14-day judicial custody.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) formed a high-level committee on Monday to investigate the basement flooding at the coaching institute, which led to the drowning deaths of three civil service aspirants. The committee will examine the incident's circumstances, identify responsible parties, and recommend preventive measures within 30 days.

'The MHA has constituted a committee to inquire into the incident at a coaching center in Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi,' a Home Ministry spokesperson stated on social media platform 'X'. The tragic event occurred after a nearby drain burst during heavy rain on Saturday night, flooding the basement library at Rau's IAS campus and claiming the lives of Shreya Yadav (Uttar Pradesh), Nivin Dalwin (Kerala), and Tanya Soni (Telangana).