As the police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) launch a probe into the flooding at the Rau's Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar, officials suspect the faulty biometric door to the library may have stopped the students from fleeing the flooded basement. The MCD officials believe the floods may have damaged the biometric system which resulted in the door getting jammed.
"There was gross criminal negligence on the part of the institute owner in ensuring safety measures. The library in the basement was running illegally and had only one entry and exit point which was biometric-enabled. It got locked due to the flooding," the official added.
A student of the coaching centre too confirmed that the access to the library was restricted via biometric access. Manish Kumar told ANI that the biometric door got jammed on Saturday. "The biometric door got blocked because of which students got trapped inside as the basement began flooding. This tragedy could have been averted. Authorities should think of alternatives to such biometric systems," he added,
Another student said most coaching centres in the region have similar facilities. "Entry and exits of most of the buildings here are controlled by biometrics. In case of an emergency or unforeseen incident, there is no balcony in the entire building, and there is no way to rescue any occupants. We will be trapped and none can enter the building without a biometric," Punit Singh told ANI.
Authorities believe the students could have escaped had the exit been free. "The MCD only approves the building plan but if somebody misuses the basement for commercial activities after declaring it will be used for parking and storing purposes, what else can the agency do to ensure protection?" a MCD official told reporters.
The officials have also found that the storm drains in the area, which carry excess rainwater to bigger drains, were covered by encroachers on street sides which contributed to the flooding.
#WATCH | Delhi | Old Rajinder Nagar Incident | On biometric access to accommodations and libraries in the area, Manish Kumar, a student, says, "... What happened on 27 July was that the biometric got blocked, because of which students got trapped inside when the basement was… pic.twitter.com/ki72PhHFJK
— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2024
#WATCH | Old Rajinder Nagar incident | Delhi: Security enhanced amid students continuing their protest in Old Rajinder Nagar.
— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2024
3 students lost their lives, in old Rajinder Nagar after the basement of their coaching institute was flooded with rainwater, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/8Iv5kb4Duh
Meanwhile, owners of coaching institutes with basement libraries have asked students to vacate as MCD initiated a crackdown against such coaching centres for violating building bylaws.
"The students could have escaped had the exit been free. The MCD only approves the building plan but if somebody misuses the basement for commercial activities after declaring it will be used for parking and storing purposes, what else can the agency do to ensure protection?" he said.
The official said storm drains in the area, which carry excess rainwater to bigger drains, were covered by "encroachers on street sides" and contributed to the flooding.
"Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has held a meeting of the officials in this regard and setting up of a high-level committee after talks with the Delhi government will be announced soon," another official said.
