Satya Niketan collapse: LG approves committee to address shortage of student accommodations in Delhi

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu announced the formation of a high‑powered committee to investigate the dearth and safety of student housing across the capital, following the recent collapse of a hostel‑run building in Satya Niketan that claimed seven lives. The committee, chaired by Education Minister Ashish Sood, is tasked with creating a centralized database of student accommodations and establishing a digital platform for reporting safety concerns.

The 18‑member panel will assess the gap between demand for hostels and existing supply, explore the use of vacant or under‑utilised properties owned by the Delhi Development Authority and other agencies, and propose emergency evacuation and disaster‑response protocols. It was directed after a meeting on Monday between LG Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister Sood, and has been given a 60‑day deadline to present its findings.

The move comes amid growing worries about inadequate and unsafe student housing in Delhi, where many rely on institutional hostels and paying‑guest facilities. By standardising guidelines, encouraging universities and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to provide regulated hostels, and enabling real‑time reporting of hazards, the committee aims to protect students and prevent future tragedies.