The collapse of a five-storey student accommodation building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan, which killed seven people including five Delhi University students, has renewed attention on the safety of student housing in the capital.

Miranda House Principal Bijayalaxmi Nanda said educational institutions have a responsibility to provide students with safe accommodation. She noted that for students who move to Delhi from other parts of the country, a hostel can become their primary home during their studies.

Delhi University has more than 2.6 lakh students, while its university and college hostels currently provide around 7,200 beds. The university has plans to add another 5,544 beds, which would take total capacity to 12,754 after the proposed projects are completed.

Nanda said Miranda House has conducted an internal structural audit of its hostel buildings. The heritage structures dating to 1948 and newer buildings constructed in 2012 were described as structurally sound, while buildings from 1975 require greater attention.

Issues identified in the older structures include water seepage and termite infestation, along with the need for roof treatment and regular repairs.

She also highlighted the challenges of modernising heritage buildings. Installing air-conditioning would require major structural and electrical upgrades because the existing infrastructure was not designed for the additional load.

The college is focusing on essential improvements such as Wi-Fi connectivity and continuing maintenance. Its hostel mess is also undergoing FSSAI certification, with water samples already tested.

The broader housing shortage has pushed many DU students towards private paying guest accommodation, rented rooms and shared housing near campuses, making safety a concern beyond university-managed hostels.