Death of UPSC Aspirants

Context:

Three UPSC aspirants tragically died due to waterlogging after a drain burst in a cramped basement coaching center in Delhi. This incident highlights alarming civic irregularities and delays in safety measures. With the World Bank predicting that 40% of India’s population will reside in cities by 2036 and Delhi’s population projected to reach 28-30 million by 2041, these issues are especially concerning.

Governance and Oversight Failures

• Unchecked Proliferation: Numerous coaching centers operate in overcrowded, unregulated spaces.
• Building Violations: Many centers violate building bylaws and safety norms, creating hazardous conditions.
• Lack of Amenities: Many centers suffer from inadequate cleanliness, hygiene, and basic facilities.
• Safety Hazards: There is an increased risk of fire and waterlogging, poor access for rescue operations, and insufficient exit points.
• Political Blame Game: The Centre and Delhi government are engaged in a dispute, shifting blame rather than addressing the crisis.
• Leadership Issues: Governance issues are exacerbated by the chief minister’s legal troubles.
• Regulatory Oversight Ignored: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has failed to act on complaints about illegal basement usage for commercial activities.
• Lack of Enforcement: Inadequate response to written complaints and a lack of timely inspections have led to preventable deaths.
• Inadequate Building Regulations: The MCD’s ignorance of building bylaws permits only specific activities in basements.
• Unregulated Sector: Coaching centers operate with minimal regulation, and existing model guidelines are unenforced, creating a regulatory gap.
• Inadequate Urban Planning: Civic authorities have failed to accommodate a growing city and ensure storm drains are desilted or that building bylaws are adhered to.

Way Forward

• Conduct regular safety audits for coaching centers to ensure compliance with building codes and safety norms.
• Develop and implement clear, comprehensive guidelines for coaching center operations and infrastructure.
• Ensure coaching centers have effective emergency response plans and accessible escape routes.
• Require coaching centers to display detailed information about operations, safety measures, and regulatory compliance to promote transparency and accountability.
• Enhance coordination between state and central authorities for effective regulation and monitoring.
• Advocate for greater devolution of power in urban governance, with stricter lines of accountability and attention to changing needs and contexts in urban planning.
• Ensure the timely notification and implementation of the Draft Delhi Master Plan, 2041, to address the city’s future growth and infrastructure needs.