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Delhi Hostel Collapse Sparks Audits, Suspensions
Confirmed
In Short: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered structural audits of all paying guest accommodations in the capital after a hostel collapse killed five students.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered structural audits of all existing paying guest accommodations across the capital following the collapse of a five-storey PG building in Satya Niketan, which killed five students on September 6.
The Delhi Home Minister, Ashish Sood, stated that officials are discussing measures to address the shortage of residential facilities for students in the city.
The Delhi High Court has issued notices to various authorities, including Delhi University, the MCD, and the Union government, over the collapse, and has ordered an audit of PG accommodations to ensure compliance with building bylaws.
Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh expressed sorrow over the deaths and directed principals to review accommodation facilities, expedite hostel construction, and explore new options for students.
The MCD's preliminary assessment revealed that the collapsed property had no sanctioned building plan, unauthorized construction in its basement, and no fire NOC, despite multiple reports of illegal construction by Delhi Police.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Singh assured that Delhi University would extend all possible assistance to the affected students and the families of those killed.
- Delhi Police brought the arrested accused — Hariram, his wife Urmila, and their son Mahesh — to RK Puram Police Station.
- These included granting additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) benefits to develop and expand existing hostels.
- Yet the report also said there was no record of the property having been booked or sealed before the collapse.
- Delhi Fire Services received 76 calls related to house collapses between January and May this year, according to data cited by Hindustan Times.
- The collapsed property, P-14 in Satya Niketan, stood on a roughly 55-square-yard plot and had a basement and four floors, according to the MCD report cited by Hindustan Times.
- The Indian Express reported that many of its small plots have been converted into PG accommodation and private hostels catering to students from Delhi University ’s South Campus.
- Before the disaster, Delhi Police had flagged ongoing illegal construction at the property to the MCD on two occasions in March, according to The Indian Express.