New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- Days after the Satya Niketan building collapse that claimed seven lives, the Delhi government has begun a wider crackdown on unsafe student accommodation, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordering comprehensive safety checks of PG hostels across the city and directing the demolition of dilapidated structures declared unsafe.
Gupta on Tuesday visited the AIIMS Trauma Centre and met the injured students and their families. She took an update from doctors on the condition of those undergoing treatment and assured the families that the government would bear the entire cost of their treatment.
"Saving the lives of the children is the government's top priority. No shortcoming will be allowed in their treatment," Gupta said, directing doctors to provide the injured with the best possible medical care and all necessary assistance.
The Chief Minister also announced Rs 5 lakh financial assistance for each person injured in the collapse and handed over cheques to their families at the trauma centre. She assured the families that the government would continue to support them in meeting any treatment-related requirements.
Gupta also said strict action would be taken against everyone found responsible for the incident. The owner of the building has already been arrested, while further action will be based on the ongoing investigation.
The government has simultaneously widened its focus from the collapsed structure to PG accommodations across Delhi. The Municipal Corporation has been directed to inspect all PG hostels under its jurisdiction and submit detailed reports.
The inspections will cover building safety, permissions, Fire Safety NOCs, structural stability certificates and compliance with other prescribed norms. Senior officials at the zonal level will supervise the exercise.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the safety of students living in privately operated PGs and rented accommodation, particularly around major university hubs where hostel capacity remains limited.
At Satya Niketan, the government has also ordered the demolition of dilapidated buildings near the collapse site that have been declared unsafe. The Chief Minister expressed concern over the safety of workers carrying out construction-related activities in the area and directed that all such work be stopped until safety conditions are ensured.
Delhi Fire Service personnel are also removing students' belongings from the affected building and bringing them out safely.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.