The Delhi government plans to construct hostel facilities for 10,000 students across the national capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced, with the initiative aimed at providing safe, affordable and comfortable accommodation to those pursuing higher education in the city.
The proposed facilities will cater to both male and female students enrolled in colleges and universities in Delhi. Gupta said the government has already begun discussions with the departments concerned, while suitable locations are being identified and a policy for the scheme is being drafted.
Government begins work on hostel plan
Gupta said the first phase would provide fully equipped accommodation for 10,000 students and that work on the initiative had already begun.
The government is considering construction through various departments and may acquire land wherever required. It is also exploring the public-private partnership (PPP) model to speed up construction and ensure proper maintenance and facilities.
Officials are also looking at colleges and universities with sufficient space for hostel construction. According to details reported after the announcement, hostel projects are already underway or have been proposed at institutions including Ambedkar University, Dhirpur, GB Pant Engineering College and Polytechnic, Indira Gandhi Hospital and Medical College, and Delhi Sports University.
Focus on safety and affordability
The proposed hostels are intended to address the accommodation challenges faced by students arriving in Delhi from different parts of the country.
Gupta said students should be able to concentrate on their education and future without having to worry about where they will stay or how food arrangements will be managed. The government plans to include facilities required for a comfortable and supportive living environment.
The scheme will be open to students studying at colleges and universities across Delhi, rather than being restricted only to institutions run by the Delhi government. The government is also preparing a policy that will set out the framework for the hostel facilities.
Move follows Satya Niketan building collapse
The announcement comes days after a multi-storey paying guest accommodation in Delhi's Satya Niketan collapsed on September 6, killing seven people, including five students. The incident intensified scrutiny of student accommodation and raised concerns over safety standards in private paying guest facilities.
Following the incident, a high-powered committee was formed to examine the shortage of student housing and the availability of land for hostel development. The committee is also looking at vacant government land and buildings that could potentially be used for student accommodation.
The Delhi government has also been considering measures to strengthen safety standards for paying guest accommodation, hostels and other buildings used by the public. Gupta has said that mandatory structural audits and regular safety certifications are being pursued following the Satya Niketan tragedy.
The government has not yet announced the locations, fees, construction timeline or other operational details of the proposed 10,000-student hostel project.