Drishti IAS Sealed: 13 coaching institutes sealed in Delhi for misuse of basement. Here is the full list

A tragic incident in Delhi's Old Rajender Nagar has drawn attention to the misuse of basement spaces in Delhi. The Master Plan of Delhi 2021 (MPD 2021) and Unified Building Bylaws (UBBL) 2016 provide clear guidelines on basement usage, yet violations are widespread. Among the popular names, Drishti IAS coaching centre, a popular destination for civil services aspirants in Mukherjee Nagar, discovered new locks on its doors and a stamped paper at the entrance instructing the office to contact city authorities. Officials stated that the basement classes were illegal. Consequently, five rooms were sealed.

MPD 2021 specifies that basements in residential and commercial buildings can only be used for storage, parking, and utility areas. Rau’s IAS Study Circle, located in Old Rajender Nagar, violated these regulations by using its basement as a library. Despite having a completion certificate from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) that restricted basement use, the coaching center continued to operate its library in the basement.

Delhi Coaching Institutes sealed for unauthorised use of basements:

1. Drishti IAS
2. IAS Gurukul
3. Chahal Academy
4. Plutus academy
5. Sai trading
6. IAS setu
7. Topper’s academy
8. Dainik samwad
9. Civil’s daily IAS
10. Career Power
11. 99 notes
12. Vidya Guru
13. Guidance IAS
14. Eassy for IAS

Widespread Misuse

This case is not isolated. Across Delhi, basements house gyms, restaurants, offices, and other establishments, creating potential hazards. While certain professionals like lawyers and doctors are permitted to operate in basements under UBBL 2016, and educational institutions can have study areas in basements, strict compliance with local laws is required.

Complaints and Enforcement

A complaint about the illegal use of the basement at Rau’s IAS Study Circle was filed on June 26. The MCD and Delhi government were notified, but the MCD did not confirm receipt of the complaint. An official noted that the MCD zone officer was already under suspension for another pending complaint.

MCD’s Response

An MCD official told TOI, “Old Rajender Nagar is a commercial area, and the owners did not have permission to carry out such activities in the basement.” MCD clarified that while the property had necessary documents, using the basement as a library violated the bylaws. The responsibility for compliance with building bylaws and fire safety norms lies with the property owners.

Expert Opinions and Actions

Sanjay Gupta, an expert in building laws, told TOI about the rampant issue of illegal coaching centers and other unauthorized activities in basements across Delhi. “There are loopholes in MPD 2021 and UBBL 2016 that are exploited, and there is a lack of proper implementation of rules,” he said.

By Sunday evening, MCD sealed several basements and 13 coaching institutes in Old Rajender Nagar and Karol Bagh. Mayor Shelly Oberoi directed strict action against such centers and emphasized that any MCD official found guilty of negligence would face consequences.

Public Safety Concerns

Inder Kohli of Nehru Place market association warned about the dangers posed by improper basement usage. “In Nehru Place, the drainage system is bad, and after every rain, water enters our basements. This can lead to electrocution and other damages. Unauthorized activities in basements are a disaster waiting to happen,” Kohli stated.

The Old Rajender Nagar incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for strict enforcement of building bylaws to ensure public safety.