Our 200 building accommodating students remain dangerous: official

Students living in paying guest (PG) accommodations near Delhi University’s North Campus have raised concerns over poor infrastructure, high rents and inadequate facilities following the Satya Niketan tragedy in which seven children have officially been recorded as dead.

A dilapidated building in Vijay Nagar, built in the 1990s, stands on a crowded street with a narrow exit and exposed wiring. The area has several PG accommodations, with listings for male tenants starting at Rs 5,700, while rents for shared rooms can range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. DU’s hostel capacity remains limited compared with demand.

“Over 200 paying guest accommodations fall under the dangerous category, or serve as a threat,” a Delhi official told NDTV on condition of anonymity. The official said these properties and other PGs would be re-examined as an inquiry into the Satya Niketan incident continues.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on September 7 that the MCD Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer had been suspended following the incident. She said the building owner had been arrested and immediate sealing of buildings with unauthorised fifth floors had been ordered across Delhi. Nearby PGs and buildings are also being inspected.

Students, however, said poor conditions remain common.

A broker alleged that some people rent entire floors and operate them as PGs primarily for profit.