After UPSC Aspirants' Deaths In Delhi, Urban Authorities Swing Into Action Against Coaching Centres In Nearby States

After the death of three UPSC aspirants due to the basement flooding of a coaching centre in Delhi, the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar have also come into action.

Uttar Pradesh

Nitin Gokarn, the additional chief secretary for housing and urban development in Uttar Pradesh, has instructed the Development Authorities to halt unauthorised activities in basements.

In a letter dated July 29, he also emphasised that no excavation should occur in basements during the rainy season. If the excavation is extremely important, then it has to be done with security arrangements.

Madhya Pradesh

The Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh government passed a similar order on 29 July directing urban bodies to survey coaching classes operating in basements of buildings.

The officials are asked to ensure that safety measures are in place on such premises. Drainage system and electrical arrangements will also be inspected.

Municipal commissioners will examine coaching centres and other institutions, including lodging facilities, running in basements of buildings in their jurisdiction, and submit a report.

Rajasthan

Kota is the coaching hub of Rajasthan. Here, district administration inspected Jawahar Nagar, Indira Vihar and Landmark City areas and gave notices to two libraries running in basement in Jawahar Nagar.

Bihar

Similar actions have been initiated in Patna. The District Magistrate (DM) has formed an investigation team to check all coaching centres in the city.

The team will check whether the coaching centres are following building bylaws, safetry requirements, fire safety arrangements, entry and exit provisions and emergency situation requirements or not.

Delhi

Over a dozen coaching centres running in basements were sealed and over half a dozen persons have been arrested over deaths due to basement flooding in Rau's IAS Study Circle.