NEW DELHI: The monsoon clouds gather over Delhi once again, but in the lanes of Old Rajendra Nagar, they carry more than just the promise of rain. They bring back memories of a tragedy that changed this bustling student hub - July 27, 2024, when three young civil services aspirants drowned in the basement library of Rau's IAS Circle coaching centre.

Right in front of the building where the basement flooded last year, Rajesh Kumar Yadav runs his litti chokha stall. A year after the tragedy, he vividly recalls the event of that evening. "This whole lane was like a pond," he said, pointing to his stomach to indicate how high the water had risen. "There were some students in the basement library when the gate and the street's sloped layout caused rainwater to pool and flow into the basement.

"Paani andar aya ekdum se, unhe bahar nikalne ka mauka hi nahi mila," Yadav recalled. He instinctively grabbed an empty pipe and pushed it into the basement, hoping his voice would carry. He and others also used the same pipe to pull out students but for the unfortunate three.When TOI visited the building recently, it found the pipes used to pump out water lying abandoned. The building has been put up for rent, and, according to the locals, just 15-20 days ago, a new entry gate was installed, eerily similar to the old one that broke open and unleashed the flood.

A hoarding announces that ex-Rau's faculty are opening a new coaching centre. Close by, another hoarding makes similar promises, and while it is again a new coaching centre, it claims being run by ex-Rau faculty.Recently erected brick walls now stand in an attempt to prevent rainwater from flowing into the basement again. The new drainage system laid in the area already shows signs of neglect. Trash-filled and clogged with construction debris, the drain in front of the building portends another monsoon disaster.The tragedy has reshaped Old Rajendra Nagar's daily rhythm. The closure of basement libraries has led to a dramatic increase in prices for the remaining study spaces. The basement libraries were popular because they were affordable, but their closure has given other operators an opportunity to exploit the tragedy. "For a corner seat in the library, the monthly charges are Rs 4000-5,00. Other seats cost something else," a 32-year-old student said.

"We live in cramped rooms on rent so the only way to study is at a library."At Shree Ram photocopy stall, Srikant, 29, stands amid stacks of UPSC books and stationery, but the footfall has diminished. "Before the incident, around 150 students came here daily. Now, barely 30," he claimed. Prem and Lata, an elderly couple who runs grocery shop from their house, have a similar story. "After the tragedy, hardly any student stops by," said Lata.

"Kisi maa baap ke bacche chale gaye. That day is unforgettable.

"The couple's son Gautam has a different perspective on life after the event. "The so-called basement libraries may have shut down and children living in paying guest accommodations evacuated, but the construction of lower ground floor homes and shops is still permitted and they can also become death traps."Anxious parents across the country called their children back home, unwilling to risk their safety.

Garima, 19, and Kashish, 19, of Bihar and Punjab, respectively, were living in a basement PG at the time of the incident. "We were evacuated like sheep the morning after, with police checking everything," Garima recalled. "We had to immediately change our PG."Students highlighted how the drowning deaths had fundamentally altered youngsters' approach to their preparation. The lanes that were once filled with students discussing strategies outside coaching centres now wear a deserted look.

"Many students have opted for online classes and they have also decided to shift to Shadipur after what happened in Old Rajendra Nagar last year," revealed Sanket. The exodus to Shadipur represents more than just a change of address - it's a vote of no confidence in the safety and infrastructure of the old coaching hub.Parag, 21, of Rajasthan was present in the area on that fateful day. "The entire building of my coaching centre was shaking due to the nonstop rains.

Lectures were going on when they suddenly shut everything and asked us to immediately leave the building. I later learned of the three deaths."The Central Bureau of Investigation filed the chargesheet on Sept 26, 2024, naming six individuals: Rau's IAS CEO Abhishek Gupta, coordinator Deshpal Singh and the four co-owners of the basement. On Feb 10, this year, a Delhi court granted bail to Gupta and Singh. With trial under way, for the families of Shreya Yadav of UP, Tanya Soni of Telangana and Nevin Delvin of Kerala, the wait for justice continues - a monsoon later.With inputs by Khushi Bhuta