- By Surarika Das
- Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:29 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- LG ordered week-long structural safety audit for all PGs.
- DU colleges provided shelter, meals to affected students.
- MCD directed to act against illegal construction.
Jagran Correspondent | South Delhi: Following Sunday's building collapse in Satya Niketan, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed the Chief Secretary to order a structural safety audit of all paying guest (PG) accommodations in major hubs across the capital within a week. Meanwhile, several Delhi University colleges, including Sri Venkateswara, Ram Lal Anand, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh, have offered aid to affected students.
Why Was The Safety Audit Issued?
The directive on Monday was issued after a meeting was chaired by the Delhi LG Sandhu, accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood. The discussion was carried out to review the action taken after the Satya Niketan building collapse and chart out the way forward for students living in PG accommodations across Delhi.
Several measures discussed during the meeting
Intiating damage control, Delhi L-G Sandhu ordered the structural safety audit of all the buildings operating as PG accommodations within a week. Secondly, officials were advised to conduct inspections of all PGs, particularly those which are violating rules and regulations set for floors and heights in the capital. PG accommodation to make rules based on the recommendations made by the Justice Guha committee.
The MCD was directed to take immediate and strict action against ongoing illegal construction and prevent further violations. The Delhi government then discussed increasing accommodation through universities, the MCD and DDA, including the possible use of vacant or underused DDA and MCD buildings and DDA housing stock.
A committee consisting of the DM, DCP and MCD’s Deputy Commissioner will reach out to students living in PGs and hear their concerns, the officials decided. A comprehensive database of all students residing in PG accommodation is to be prepared.
The L-G also advised officials to avoid “mindless sealing drives", which would eventually make the students homeless. He instead called for targeted inspections of premises that prima facie violate building norms.
DU Colleges Provide Meals and Accommodation To Students
Several colleges offered immediate shelter and meals to students affected by the collapse. Nearby Sri Venkateswara College hosted 46 male and 26 female students on Sunday night, with staff and student volunteers providing round-the-clock support. The principal extended this offer to any student from DU or other institutions residing in Satya Niketan.
How Did The Students React?
According to Shambhavi, a student from Bihar, she was living in a PG at Satya Niketan during the incident. "We were very scared after the accident, so I came to the college and stayed overnight," she said, adding that all PGs should strictly adhere to facility regulations.
Lakshita, who hails from UP’s Agra, said “My family is very scared after the accident, and I was also feeling scared. That's why I came here. Despite paying for the PG, we don't get the facilities we need.”
The discussion followed the collapse of a five-storey boys’ PG near Delhi University’s South Campus at around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair work was underway. Seven people were killed and at least six injured.
With inputs from Shalini Devranic