New Delhi: Days after the Satya Niketan tragedy, chief minister Rekha Gupta Tuesday announced that Delhi govt would construct hostels for 10,000 students to “provide them a safe, supportive place to stay, so they can study with peace of mind and move closer to the future they came here to build”.
An official said hostels would have essential facilities, including Wi-Fi, 24-hour electricity and water supply, study rooms, libraries and hygienic messes.
These hostels will be made for girls as well as boys from any university,” Gupta said, adding that hostels are required for making Delhi a big education hub. The scope of the initiative will be expanded as per the growing need, chief minister’s office said. Fire safety measures and regular structural audits will be accorded the highest priority to ensure a safe and secure living environment for students, the official said. The students also need not worry about food and accommodation, rather they can concentrate on their dreams,” said CM.
“Lakhs of students come to Delhi for study; they get admission but not hostels… (They) will be provided safe and economic accommodation. Round-the-clock security will be ensured through CCTV surveillance and biometric entry systems. “We will make such hostels where parents from different parts of the country can leave their children without worry.
The policy, being drafted by an 18-member high-level committee, is likely to introduce mandatory licences for PGs, zone-wise rent bands, structural and fire-safety audits, and a central portal listing rents, amenities and compliance details. Soon after the Satya Niketan incident, a high-level meeting, chaired by lieutenant governor TS Sandhu and attended by CM, was held to examine the issue. Education minister Ashish Sood recently promised a student delegation that govt would introduce comprehensive legislation and regulations for paying guest accommodations within two months.