New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- Delhi Lieutenant Governor Sardar TS Sandhu has approved the constitution of an 18 member High Powered Committee to ensure the safety, security and adequacy of student accommodation in Delhi. The committee, chaired by Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, will provide policy direction, ensure inter-departmental coordination and monitor implementation of measures related to student accommodation and safety across the Capital. It has been mandated to submit its recommendations within 60 days.
The committee gives effect to directions issued by the LG at a meeting held on September 7 with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood. The LG had directed Sood to lead a committee of senior officials to review institutional PG guidelines, explore alternative student accommodation through universities, MCD and DDA, and assess the feasibility of using vacant or under utilised DDA, MCD and other government buildings for student accommodation. The move follows the Satya Niketan building collapse, which highlighted the need for a coordinated mechanism for student accommodation safety.
The committee will assess the gap between student demand and available hostel accommodation and explore creation or expansion of accommodation through universities, MCD, DDA and other government agencies. It will examine vacant or under-utilised DDA housing and other government properties, identify suitable government land and buildings for additional hostels, and encourage universities and institutions to develop safe, affordable and regulated hostel facilities.
It will also suggest a centralised database of accommodation, including institutional hostels and, where legally and administratively feasible, registered PGs. A mechanism for students to report unsafe accommodation, overcrowding and fire hazards, along with a centralised digital monitoring dashboard, will also be examined. The committee will prescribe emergency evacuation and disaster response protocols and devise periodic fire and disaster mock drills and safety awareness programmes.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.