Opinion | Corruption, Unaccountability, Failure: Delhi's Coaching Centre Tragedy In 3 Words

Three UPSC aspirants, Nevin Dalvin, Tanya Soni, and Shreya Yadav, met a tragic end as they drowned in the flooded basement of Rau's Coaching Centre in Old Rajinder Nagar in Delhi. Just days before that, Nilesh Rai, returning to his paying guest accommodation in South Patel Nagar, was electrocuted while crossing a waterlogged lane. These tragedies are not confined to Delhi; in Maharashtra, torrential rains have claimed six lives, injured 12, and submerged countless homes. Our cities are paralysed by a mere 30mm of rain. The death of these young aspirants is a stark reminder of failure at multiple levels.

However, most of the administrative lapses that have led us here cannot be attributed to 'complexity'. For instance, the failure to properly maintain storm drains is a manageable challenge compared to other municipal responsibilities. Ensuring that libraries are appropriately situated and that classes are not conducted in the basements of buildings is a straightforward task. Likewise, the enforcement of mandatory fire safety equipment in every building is not a herculean undertaking.

These are basic, fundamental duties that should be executed with precision and diligence. When local governments falter in these areas, it is not due to the inherent complexity of their roles, but rather a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of the community. Such failures are inexcusable and reflect a dire need for accountability and reform within local governance structures.