Delhi’s cramped student hostels pose safety hazards amid soaring rents

Across Delhi’s student hubs, private PG rentals have multiplied around coaching centres, forcing learners to accept cramped rooms that cost Rs 10,000-Rs 16,000 per month. Buildings often sit on uneven, excavated roads, with tangled overhead cables and limited ventilation, making them vulnerable to fire and structural failure. Residents like Anamika and Devyani report that higher-quality housing would be unaffordable, leaving them with unsafe options.

A recent collapse in Satya Niketan revived fears, while past fires in Mukherjee Nagar and Laxmi Nagar showed how narrow lanes impede rescue efforts. Many of these properties operate without proper commercial permissions, meaning safety measures are frequently missing. The situation underscores a broader risk for thousands of students who rely on these makeshift accommodations.