Delhi to Launch Portal to Map Student PGs; 100 Inspections in 3 Days
Delhi government to launch a new portal to map student PGs and conduct 100 inspections to ensure safety and legal compliance.
In a major move to bolster student safety, the Delhi government has announced the launch of a dedicated online portal to map all student paying guest (PG) accommodations across the national capital. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive database of where students reside and the facilities available to them, ensuring better regulation and security.
Following the second meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) on Student Accommodation and Safety, Education Minister Ashish Sood confirmed that the government is moving rapidly to streamline the PG and hostel sector. As part of an immediate crackdown on safety standards, joint teams from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will conduct inspections of 100 identified cases over the next three days.
Strengthening Safety and Regulation
The formation of the HPC follows the tragic incident in Satya Niketan, which highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive regulations for student housing. The new portal is designed to capture essential data, including the number of rooms and basic amenities, to simplify the registration process for operators while providing authorities with vital oversight.
Key safety requirements proposed by the committee include:
- Mandatory CCTV Coverage: Installation of cameras at all entry and exit points, as well as in common areas.
- Data Retention: A requirement for a recording backup of 40-45 days to ensure evidence is available when needed.
- Privacy Balance: Measures to strengthen monitoring while ensuring students' personal spaces remain private.
Addressing Legal Hurdles and Master Plan Restrictions
Recognizing that current laws may hinder legal operations, the committee has decided to form a sub-committee to study regulatory restrictions. This group, featuring representatives from the DDA, the Delhi government, the MCD, and the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, will examine whether relaxations are needed under the Master Plan and the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act.
The sub-committee will specifically investigate the possibility of allowing PG operations within a 5-6 km radius of major educational hubs, as well as within group housing societies and Resident Welfare Association (RWA) areas.
Next Steps for Student Housing
The implementation of the portal will begin with initial testing by Delhi University (DU) and the MCD within the next few days. This will be followed by a government-wide campaign to encourage student and owner registration.
Minister Sood emphasized the government's commitment to providing safe and affordable housing. "We are working rapidly toward a regulatory framework that streamlines this system," he stated. The HPC is scheduled to reconvene after Dussehra to review the sub-committee's findings and finalize the draft regulatory framework for the city's student accommodations.