In light of the regrettable incident in Rajinder Nagar, the Delhi Development Authority plans to launch three additional 'Aarambh' libraries.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has embarked on a transformative journey, converting underutilized community centres into modern, inclusive learning zones for students and aspirants. This initiative, known as the "Aarambh" libraries, aims to provide safe, high-standard study spaces in response to previous safety concerns with underground private coaching centres.
The first Aarambh library was inaugurated in January 2025, following the tragic Rajinder Nagar incident that occurred a year ago. This incident, where three UPSC aspirants died in a flooding accident at a private coaching centre's basement study room, spurred the government to provide safer, modern study environments through the Aarambh project.
The second Aarambh library was recently opened in July 2025, in South Delhi's Adchini, a popular student hub near premier institutions like JNU and IIT Delhi. This facility operates 24/7, accommodates around 60 students per shift (180 total across three shifts), and charges a nominal monthly fee of Rs 1,000 per user. Amenities include Wi-Fi, air conditioning, personal lockers, separate toilets, a cafeteria, an outdoor seating area, and an open gymnasium.
More Aarambh libraries are planned for various locations across New Delhi. These include Vikaspuri, Sector-16B Dwarka, and Rohini. The Rohini library will serve students in and around the Rohini sub-city in North West Delhi, including Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Haider Pur, and adjoining areas.
Each Aarambh library offers a conducive study environment with amenities such as modular tables with built-in pop-up power sockets, high-speed Wi-Fi, secure locker cabinets, dedicated display units, racks for newspapers and magazines, an accessible toilet, a cafeteria, an outdoor seating area, and an open-air gym. The premises will be monitored through CCTV and equipped with seamless Wi-Fi coverage for safety.
The Aarambh initiative is part of a transformative change by the Delhi Development Authority following the Rajinder Nagar tragedy. It was directed by Lt Governor VK Saxena to provide a conducive reading environment for the students of Delhi. The initiative aims to transform underutilised community halls into modern, inclusive learning zones for Delhi's students.
The Aarambh libraries offer a safe and affordable alternative to unsafe and overcrowded coaching centres for Delhi's students. These libraries are designed to cater to the needs of students from various areas, with the Vikaspuri library serving students from west Delhi areas such as Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri, and Rajouri Garden, and the Rohini library serving students from North West Delhi.
The Delhi Development Authority is expected to inaugurate the library in Sector-16B Dwarka on July 28. Two more libraries in Vikaspuri and Rohini are scheduled to open within the next one to two months. The Aarambh libraries initiative is a significant step towards providing quality education facilities for Delhi's students.
[1] Delhi Development Authority Launches 'Aarambh' Libraries Initiative to Transform Study Spaces for Students. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.dda.org.in/news/delhi-development-authority-launches-aarambh-libraries-initiative-to-transform-study-spaces-for-students
[2] New Delhi's Aarambh Libraries: Transforming Community Centres into Study Spaces. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/new-delhis-aarambh-libraries-transforming-community-centres-into-study-spaces-2706353
[3] Aarambh Libraries: Delhi's New Study Spaces for Students. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/aarambh-libraries-delhis-new-study-spaces-for-students/article64808353.ece
[4] Aarambh Library Opens in Malviya Nagar: A Safe Study Space for Students. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.india.com/delhi/aarambh-library-opens-in-malviya-nagar-a-safe-study-space-for-students-6038566/
- The Aarambh libraries initiative, inspired by the tragic Rajinder Nagar incident, is a transformative change led by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), aiming to offer safe, high-standard study spaces as an alternative to previous underground private coaching centers.
- In addition to the South Delhi's Adchini location, more Aarambh libraries are planned for various locations across New Delhi, such as Vikaspuri, Sector-16B Dwarka, Rohini, and other student-populated areas, catering to students from different parts of the city.
- As part of personal-growth and education-and-self-development, cricket enthusiasts might benefit from the outdoor seating area in Aarambh libraries, while environmental activists can engage in discussions using the dedicated display units and newspapers/magazines racks, fostering learning and engaging conversations in diverse communities.
