Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that the government will provide hostel facilities to 10,000 students in the national capital. The announcement comes days after the collapse of a five-storey paying guest (PG) building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, which claimed seven lives.
The Chief Minister said the government has already started working on the project and aims to provide students with a safe and supportive place to stay while they pursue their education in Delhi.
“Initially, 10,000 students will be provided fully equipped hostel facilities by our government, and work towards this is already underway. Our endeavour is to give them a safe, supportive place to stay, so they can study with peace of mind and move closer to the future they came here to build,” Gupta said.
What Happened At Satya Niketan Building?
The Satya Niketan incident involved a five-storey building being used as a student PG accommodation. Seven people were killed in the collapse, including five Delhi University students. Preliminary investigations have focused on repair and construction work being carried out in the basement and other structural concerns. Police have also been investigating allegations of unauthorised construction and changes made to the building over the years.
Following the incident, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) intensified its action against unauthorised and unsafe structures across the city. According to MCD figures reported on September 10, 58 buildings had been demolished, 24 properties sealed, 31 demolition orders issued and several show-cause notices served for unauthorised construction and sealing.
The civic body has also been surveying PG accommodations across Delhi. An MCD survey of around 1,355 PG buildings found three structures that were visibly dangerous, highlighting concerns over the safety of student accommodation in the city.
The collapse also left several students living in nearby PGs worried about their safety. Some Delhi University colleges opened their facilities to students affected by the incident, while concerns over the availability of affordable and safe student accommodation grew.
Delhi Plans Hostels For 10,000 Students
The proposed hostel facilities are expected to address the shortage of safe accommodation for students coming to Delhi for higher education. According to the latest report, the Delhi government has identified a location for the project and is currently working on the policy framework for its implementation.
The development also comes amid wider concerns over the safety and regulatory compliance of private PGs and student housing in the capital. The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a petition seeking a comprehensive safety audit of PGs, private hostels and student accommodation around colleges and universities in Delhi.
