Narrow Stairs, Poor Ventilation Flagged At City Coaching Hubs

New Delhi: Safety violations were detected in hundreds of coaching centres and libraries across the capital following the July 2024 Rajendra Nagar tragedy that had claimed three lives and prompted large-scale sealing and enforcement action by govt agencies.According to details prepared by Delhi govt in response to questions posed by a Parliamentary standing committee, a total of 370 units were sealed between July 28, 2024 and Feb 8, 2026, including 89 coaching centres and 181 libraries. Show-cause notices were issued to 899 units — 505 coaching centres and 394 libraries — after prima facie violations were detected. Enforcement drives were carried out across multiple zones.
The crackdown followed the July 27, 2024 incident at Rau's IAS Study Circle in Old Rajendra Nagar that killed three UPSC aspirants after heavy rainfall led to sudden flooding of a basement library. The three were trapped when water rapidly filled the room and drowned before rescuers could reach them.Govt officials said that during subsequent actions, they found out that while basements of several institutes had been approved only for parking and storage, according to the building completion certificates, they were illegally housing libraries and reading halls. Under the unified building bylaws for Delhi, basements are not permitted to be used as classrooms, libraries or for other commercial activities.Action was also taken by the enforcement agencies, including Municipal Corporation of Delhi, against coaching centres lacking mandatory fire clearances. "Some didn't have proper fire or emergency exits in the basement as well as alternative escape routes," an official said.They also flagged narrow staircases, overcrowded spaces and inadequate ventilation as factors that could hamper evacuation during emergencies. Another official said that in some establishments, electricity meters and exposed or tangled wiring were found dangerously close to building structures.Several coaching centres and libraries were also operating out of residential properties without adhering to commercial building norms. In mixed land-use areas, some institutes were found running libraries or coaching centres without paying mandatory conversion charges. Officials pointed out that such properties are required to pay commercial-category property tax and comply with building regulations, which many did not.In its submission, the panel observed that many coaching institutes were not providing adequate space or basic facilities to students, a large number of whom come to Delhi from distant parts of the country to prepare for competitive examinations. Congested premises and poor safety mechanisms raised serious questions about accountability.A senior official said that stricter enforcement of safety norms, proper registration of institutes and adherence to building bylaws are essential to prevent a recurrence of Rajendra Nagar-like accidents. The ongoing enforcement drive, the officials said, aim to ensure compliance and safeguard thousands of students enrolled in the coaching centres across the city.Areas like Karol Bagh, Rajendra Nagar, and Patel Nagar — hubs for civil services aspirants — were found to have a high concentration of coaching institutes. Apart from that, the city also has several prominent and specialised coaching hubs, such as Mukherjee Nagar, Laxmi Nagar and Kalu Sarai, catering to other competitive exams as well.