As one approaches Old Rajendra Nagar, located just 4.5km west of Connaught Place, it would appear that the existence of the entire neighbourhood is dependent on producing the next batch of civil servants for the country. It’s not just the billboards advertising preparatory institutes that litter the Karol Bagh Metro station, Rajendra Nagar’s nearest transit link, but the station itself is called Drishti IAS Karol Bagh Metro station as part of a co-branding initiative.
Below the elevated station, the chaotic Pusa Road looks even more disorderly with banners hanging over building façades. Enter Bada Bazaar Road, there is an entire ecosystem selling the great IAS dream. For most hours of the day, streets are full of aspirants and tutors moving in and out of coaching institutes.
Apart from the hundreds of these institutes that are located on the main road, the bylanes are densely packed with rental accommodations, paying guest facilities and dormitories for students. To cater to this community, there are permanent and makeshift businesses selling books on current affairs, optional subjects, and mess-style eateries and tiffin services selling a variety of regional food options. But since Saturday, the area has been packed with police in their usual khakis and the Rapid Action Force in their blue camouflage.
A small part of the Bada Bazaar Road has been cut off for normal traffic movement as protesters gather in relays over the death of three of their fellow IAS aspirants, wh.