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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Drishti IAS has been accused of operating eight classrooms in the basement at Nehru Vihar, which is 25 feet beneath the surface level, despite regulations permitting basement usage only for storage purposes.
NEW DELHI: In a startling revelation, Drishti IAS, the highly reputed coaching institute founded by renowned IAS educator Vikas Divyakirti, has come under harsh scrutiny for major building by-law violations at its Nehru Vihar branch which was sealed on July 29 by the MCD officials. UPSC aspirant Priyank Baliyan told The New Indian, “8 classrooms of Drishti IAS were being run inside the basement at Nehru Vihar with a strength of about 600 students per classroom”. He was further quoted as saying,
The Nehru Vihar branch, where approximately 4,000 to 5,000 students attend classes, is using these basement classrooms in contravention of building codes. Each classroom reportedly accommodates around 600 students, raising concerns about safety and compliance.
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One of the major risks associated with these basement classrooms is the potential for flooding, as they are located next to a drainage canal. “8 classrooms are being run 25 feet beneath the ground level, with a constant risk of getting flooded with filthy water in heavy monsoons since a drainage canal runs just along by its side,” the aspirant was quoted as saying. The constant threat of flooding poses a significant risk to the safety and well-being of the students, particularly in light of the horrific tragedy that occurred in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar, killing four UPSC aspirants.
Aspirants are raising questions about the responsibility and response of Vikas Divyakirti, the Founder of Drishti IAS, who reportedly “charges a substantial fee of ₹2.5 lakh per student for coaching”. Students allege that the coaching institute has become more of a business venture, prioritizing profit over student safety and legal compliance.
ALSO READ: Vikas Divyakirti never came here, focused on ₹800 cr turnover: Students
Meanwhile, stakeholders and parents are eagerly awaiting a response from Vikas Divyakirti regarding the situation and the measures the institute will undertake to rectify the issues and ensure student safety. Another UPSC aspirant Nikhil Kumar Jaiswal informed The New Indian that “the books and handwritten notes of students have been locked inside the sealed libraries of coaching institutes, hampering their Mains 2024 preparation.” With no updates on the re-opening, students face uncertainty and disruption in their study plans.
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As the investigation continues, the incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of building regulations and greater accountability of the coaching sector as well as municipal authorities to safeguard the interests and safety of students.
