NEW DELHI, July 31, 2025 — Delhi Congress chief Shri Devender Yadav has sounded the alarm over the crumbling infrastructure of over 1500 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools. In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena, with copies sent to the Chief Minister and the Mayor, Yadav has urged swift action to upgrade unsafe school buildings to protect lakhs of students and teachers.
He pointed out that nearly 7.8 lakh students are at risk, as a significant number of schools—most between 30 to 50 years old—are in deteriorating shape. During the July 16 Standing Committee meeting, concerns were raised about broken structures and waterlogged premises, yet no solid action followed.
“Do we need a tragedy like the Piplodi incident in Rajasthan, where children lost their lives in a school collapse, to finally act?” Yadav questioned, criticizing the silence and inaction of the authorities.
Highlighting budgetary provisions, Yadav noted that over ₹1693 crore has been allocated for MCD schools this year, which is ₹48.2 crore higher than last year. Still, no significant repairs have been initiated in any of the 12 MCD zones, despite 368 schools already classified as “dilapidated.”
Breaking down the crisis zone-wise, Yadav revealed alarming figures:
- Paharganj: 26 out of 75 schools
- Karol Bagh: 23 out of 69
- Keshav Puram: 35 out of 89
- Shahdara South: 33 out of 127
- Shahdara North: 14 out of 103
- Rohini: 23 out of 80
- Najafgarh: 36 out of 110
- Narela: 26 out of 145
- Civil Lines: 9 out of 71
- Central Zone: 53 out of 94
- South Zone: 59 out of 120
- West Zone: 31 out of 102 schools are in severely dangerous conditions.
Despite media highlighting the deteriorating state and lack of fire safety in schools located in areas like Nand Nagri, Lampur, Narela, Mangolpuri, and Nangloi, Yadav said the MCD has yet to respond meaningfully.
He cited recent examples of structural failures, including wall collapses in Hari Mandir School, Ashok Nagar, and Dilshad Garden, some of which led to injuries and damaged property.
Calling for immediate intervention, Shri Yadav urged the LG to prioritize the reconstruction and strengthening of these unsafe buildings, emphasizing that both the 15-year BJP rule and the current AAP-led administration have failed to address this growing crisis.
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