Ticking Time Bomb: Fuel Tank Found In South Delhi School

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has found an underground fuel tank in the basement of a prominent private school in Greater Kailash-II, prompting Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to order an FIR against it for "endangering" the safety of students.

Students were sitting on a "ticking bomb," said Manish Sisodia, who is also the education minister.

He said 2,500 litres of diesel was seized and the tank has been filled up with sand.

The school, however, claimed that it was not aware of any FIR being ordered against it by the Delhi government.

"It's an air-conditioned school. In order to ensure continuous supply of power to the air conditioning system, generators, running on diesel, have been installed in the school. The quantity of diesel under reference is within limits permissible under the law. The diesel is stored underground outside and away from the school building," the school said in response to an e-mail.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence in Delhi, the deputy chief minister said a team led by a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) raided the premises of the K R Mangalam School's GK-II branch on April 20 following parents' complaints and found that the school was illegally storing petrol and diesel in the fuel tank.

Several parents came to him on April 16 and complained about a "number of irregularities" on part of the school, including existence of an underground fuel tank, according to Mr Sisodia.

"I then ordered the chief secretary to send a team of SDM, Delhi Jal Board, fire department, police and departments concerned to the school," he said.

"Our officers found a fuel tank in the basement of school building besides illegal water borewell on the premises. Students were sitting on a ticking bomb in this school," he said.

Manish Sisodia said that it could have led to a major incident in the future.The government probe is underway, he said.

"Today, I have ordered an FIR against the school for endangering the safety of students and residents of nearby areas....

"I want to tell parents that if they have any doubt about the safety of their children, they can complain against schools," he said.

Mr Sisodia, flanked by AAP's Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj, said he held a review meeting on Friday with officers and will interact with parents on the issue on Monday.

Asked whether the government will inspect other branches of the school, the deputy chief minister said if parents file any complaint, such action will be taken.

Mr Bharadwaj said he had been getting complaints from parents about major safety lapses on part of the school, and in view of this, he raised the issue with the deputy chief minister.

"Parents of high profile KR Mangalam School are very concerned after Delhi Govt Inspection found illegal underground fuel tank of 2500 Lts inside school. A ticking bomb

"A disaster waiting to happen. Parents in Greater Kailash have been asking for meeting with @msisodia (sic)," Mr Bharadwaj tweeted.