Coaching Centre Tragedy: Civic body to set up 4 libraries in memory of Civil Services aspirants

New Delhi, August 2
Mayor Shelly Oberoi has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to establish four libraries in the city’s key coaching hubs in the memory of the four Civil Services aspirants who lost their lives last month. The libraries will be set up in Rajinder Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Patel Nagar and Ber Sarai.
Three UPSC aspirants drowned in the basement of a coaching centre in the Old Rajinder Nagar on July 27, while a week earlier, another student in Mukherjee Nagar died after touching an iron gate that was in contact with an exposed wire.
In a post on X, Oberoi outlined the city’s plans to support students. “Nothing can replace the loss that Delhi feels, but we are trying to improve public reading spaces for students,” she wrote.
Oberoi has instructed the MCD Commissioner to allocate funds for these libraries from the Mayor’s Discretionary Head of Account. She urged the Commissioner to quickly assess the feasibility of the project and identify suitable land in the designated areas so that construction can begin promptly. The MCD will be responsible for both the construction and maintenance of the libraries.
Highlighting the urgent need for accessible study spaces in the city, Oberoi said, “Following the unfortunate incidents, students have raised concerns about the shortage of public and government libraries in Delhi. Many are struggling with the high costs associated with private libraries, and this initiative aims to provide them with affordable alternatives.”
The decision comes amid protests by students at the site of the recent tragedy. Several students were seen studying at the protest site. — TNS