Urgent call for reform: Systemic failures & tragic toll on aspiring students

New Delhi, July 28: The tragic death of three civil service aspirants due to waterlogging in the basement of a coaching centre at Rajendra Nagar, New Delhi and earlier this week, the electrocution of another civil service aspirant student on the waterlogged road near Patel Nagar Metro Station in West Delhi has ignited massive protests by students. Paramilitary forces were deployed to maintain order as students accused municipal authorities of gross negligence.

The incident occurred at Rau's IAS Study Circle, a prominent coaching institute for civil service aspirants in West Delhi. The institute's library, located in the basement of the building, had only one entry exit point. Following a heavy downpour, the basement flooded, trapping at least two dozen students inside.

Deputy Commissioner of Police M Harshavardhan stated to the media that a criminal case had been registered in connection with the incident. "Our forensic teams are here. We are committed to a proper investigation and finding the truth. Two people have been detained," he said.

This tragic event has highlighted serious lapses in safety measures and sparked a broader conversation about the urgent need for stricter enforcement of regulations in educational institutions which are neither disabled-friendly nor do they maintain proper rules and regulations for the safety of the students. Most of them are overcrowded.

Repeated tragic manmade incidents and accidents are stark and painful reminders of our “Jugad Chalta hai” approach to society and systemic failures of the administration, prompting authorities to act only after irreparable damage has occurred when we continue to be the fifth biggest economy of the world.

The drowning of three students in a flooded basement at a Delhi coaching centre is yet another heart-wrenching wake-up call and a reminder of our knee-jerk mentality rather than to pre-empt and be prepared for any eventuality.

Thousands of students flock to Delhi from various states, chasing academic excellence and dreaming of a better future. These aspiring civil servants and their families invest millions of rupees, time, and dreams, trusting these coaching centres to guide them towards their goals.

The proliferation of coaching centres across the country has turned into a lucrative business. They spend exorbitant amounts on advertising through media houses but invest little in proper infrastructure and safe hostels for students.

This negligence creates unsafe environments for young minds striving to succeed in competitive examinations. The situation is reminiscent of the Netflix series "Kota Factory," which depicts the booming yet disorganized and unchecked coaching industry, complete with ancillary units like boarding houses, eateries, and stationery shops.

Despite numerous past incidents, such as fires caused by short circuits in coaching centres, the persistent neglect in enforcing building codes, occupancy limits, and fire safety regulations continues to endanger lives.

These tragedies highlight a blatant disregard for student safety and expose the corrupt practices that allow these centres to operate unchecked.

It is time for the government and society to take decisive action. Regular and rigorous inspections, strict penalties for violations, and increased transparency and accountability are essential.

Society must equally raise its voice against violators, and public awareness campaigns along with third-party audits can ensure compliance and safety. Additionally, establishing a call centre to receive complaints from students at coaching centres or guests at banquet halls could significantly enhance the ability of senior officers to take swift and effective action.

The Reality on the Ground

Despite clear regulations, many basements in Delhi continue to function as commercial spaces without proper safety measures. Recently, I visited a banquet hall in Kirti Nagar, West Delhi, attending a function. The basement hall was so overcrowded that it posed a severe safety hazard. It had only one exit- entrance, no windows, and no emergency exits. The small bathroom and kitchen pantry in the back were in unhygienic conditions. With numerous electrical gadgets in use, including high-end DJ equipment and electric decorations using cheap Chinese products, the potential for a mishap was alarmingly high.

The Cost of Negligence

Delhi has witnessed multiple tragedies that could have been prevented with proper regulatory oversight. From fires in commercial buildings lacking fire exits to overcrowded banquets in basements, the pattern is clear: a lapse in the enforcement of safety norms by government agencies leads to catastrophic outcomes.

The regulatory framework requires that any basement used for commercial purposes, such as banquets, coaching centres, medical facilities, and grocery shops must meet stringent safety standards. These include adequate ventilation, multiple exit points, fire safety measures, and adherence to building codes. However, in practice, many such establishments operate in blatant violation of these rules.

The reasons for these unsafe conditions are manifold

Corruption and Bribery: Many establishments manage to bypass safety regulations by bribing local booth level officials, leading to unchecked violations. Hence their seniors hardly come to know of the facts on the ground.

Lack of Regular Inspections: There is a significant gap in the regular inspection and monitoring of commercial and even domestic-use buildings by the authorities. Equally, the penalties for violating safety norms are often not stringent enough to deter violators.

Public Apathy and Awareness: There is a general lack of awareness and apathy among the public regarding the importance of adhering to safety regulations.

The Need for Strict Enforcement

To prevent further loss of life, the government must take decisive and proactive measures to enforce safety regulations. This includes that concerned authorities must conduct regular and unannounced inspections of commercial establishments, especially those operating in basements: implementing heavier fines and stricter penalties for those found violating safety norms can act as a strong deterrent. Establishing transparent processes and holding officials accountable for lapses in enforcement can reduce corruption.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about the importance of safety regulations and encouraging them to report violations can help in better enforcement and introduce third-party audits of safety measures in commercial buildings can ensure unbiased evaluations and compliance.

Equally, it is essential to monitor the officials responsible for enforcing safety regulations. This can be achieved through establishing independent bodies to oversee the enforcement of safety regulations and investigate cases of corruption, providing protections for whistleblowers who report corruption and violations within regulatory agencies.

In addition, utilising technology to automate inspection processes and track compliance can reduce human intervention.

The frequent tragedies resulting from safety violations in commercial establishments underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement of regulations. It is high time for the government to act decisively, ensuring that all commercial spaces, particularly those in basements, adhere to safety norms. Only through rigorous enforcement, transparency, and public awareness can we hope to prevent such avoidable tragedies and safeguard lives. The cost of inaction is too high, and the lessons learned from past tragedies must drive immediate and sustained action.