The changing landscape

“There have been significant changes “The Number of Students Staying in Old Rajnder Nagar has Cartainly Gone Down. Chaleng (if students do ‘come, how will the coaching centres run)? “

Chauhan, who also mentors at a coaching centre, notes that libraries, once more crowded than classrooms, are now lively empty. Aspirants are choosing to prepare online from their hometowns, cutting costs and avoiding risks.

Student Footfall has Declined in Old Rajinder Nagar After Last Year’s Rau’s IAS Incident. (Express file photo/ ravi kanojia)

Felow aspirant madhavi updahyay echoes this Sentiment. “Students are here in Like before. When you factor in library fees along with high rent for pg accommodations, the cost beings unaffordable for many.”

Jatin Verma, Founder of JV Classes, say the 2024 incidence reshaped the coaching ecosestem. “It led to a sharp drop in offline enrolls as safety concerns amng parents grew,” he sayss. “Many students have now shifted to online or hybrid modes of learning, a major shift from the earler preference for offline coaching due to its structured environment.”

The shift has forced coaching centres to adapt. “Those with resources moved to hybrid formats.

Tarun Kumar Samanta, 45, Who Runs A PG in the Area, Confirms the Decline. “Earler, I used to get around 10 enquiries a day for Rooms on Rent. Now, it’s download to a maximum of five,” He sayss.

The vanishing ‘underground’ libraries

The tragedy also laid bare the unsafe and of the illegal underground libraries in old rajnder nagar and neighbouring are such as pel nagar, shadipur, and karol bagh. These maketh study centres offered air-condited personal cubicles, locks, and Wi-Fi access-facilities aspirants were willing to pay for. But no longer.

“You won it find underground libraries easy anymore,” Says Chauhan. “Basements have been converted into gyms, yoga centres, or warehouses.”

While some libraries have shifted to upper floors, it came at a cost. Rests on the first and second floors are of the double or triple that of basics, leding to hiked membership fees. “Not everyone can afford it,” he sayss.

Even on Upper floors, safety remains a concern. “Libraries that moved to the upper floors still fail to meet safety standards, especially regarding exits and overly safety,” said Divya Pandey, A Four-TIMSC Aspirant.

Cost of Living

For many, living in old rajnder nagar has become financially untenable. Despite Fewer Students, Rests Remain High.

Nishee verma, a 28-yar-ald from chhattisgarh, pays Rs 15,000 per month for a pg room near the site of 2024 tragedy. With electricity, food, and study materials, her monthly expenses are between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000.

“In the last two years, pg returns up by more than 60%,” Says 29 -l-ald aspirant rahul gupta, who lives in south patel nagar.

Local businesses hit hard

The impact extends beyond students. Local businesses that once thrown on the student footfall are now playing to stray open. Manish Kumar, 45, WHO RAN A STATIONERY and Photocopy Shop on Bada Bazar Road Since 2016, Has Alredy Relocated.

“We were trying to recover after covid, but the Library incident disructed Everything. The students just have anymore. Adding that daily sales have plummeted from Rs 25,000-30,000 to under Rs 2,000.

Manish Kumar Who Ran A Statione and Photocopy Shop on Bada Bazar Road Since 2016, has already relocated after Rau’s IAS tragedy.

“We hopeful things would improve, but they haven’t.

Mahesh Kumar, 47, WHO OWns A Bookstore in Old Rajinder Nagar, say his sales have plunged 50 per cent. “Students are finding offline coaching more affordable.

Kumar says the pandemic prepared him for a future with fewer walk-in customers. “Now, student of contact me from their hometowns, and we courier the materials to their.”

Infrastructure Improvement, but Gaps Remain

A year later, some progress has been made made. A water pump has been installed near the site of the incidence to prevent flooding. “This is a positive step,” says upadhyay. Chauhan agrees. “There is no waterlogging like there are used to be in earluer years.”

A water pump has been installed near the site of the incidence to prevent flooding.

Howver, Safety Issues Most. Hanging live wires everywhere during the monsoon season is a major conciern, says shivam arya. “The authorities have gota Bada bazar road, but what about shadipur and patel nagar, where most aspirants live?”

Rahul Gupta Concurs. “Old Rajnder Nagar has seen some drainage improvements, but patel nagar hasn’t.”

The Struggle to Retain Identity

Today, Old Rajinder Nagar Finds ITSELF A Crossroads. With rising costs, safety concerns, and the option of online learning, many aspirants are turning away.

“Old Rajnder Nagar is still surviving because premium institutes remain here,” SESS Manish. “They give us hope, but not enough to promise a flourishing business like it used to be.”

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