Delhi authorities crack down on unsafe student housing after fatal collapse

Following the collapse of a five-story building in Satya Niketan that killed seven people, Delhi authorities have launched a massive crackdown on illegal and unsafe student accommodations. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to use bulldozers against unauthorized structures and has mandated intensive inspections of all ‘paying guest’ (PG) hostels.

Officials report that over 200 PG accommodations are currently classified as dangerous. In response, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has ordered a structural audit of all PGs within one week, specifically targeting buildings suspected of violating height and floor restrictions. The MCD is also scheduled to demolish nearby dilapidated buildings deemed unsafe.

Students have voiced significant concerns regarding poor infrastructure, high rents, and water seepage in existing accommodations. To address safety and security, Delhi Police have directed officers to conduct regular outreach to students in rented housing to address issues such as harassment and local crime. Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor has called for a committee to frame a formal policy for regulating and monitoring PG accommodations.