Out of Satya Niketan, into same trap: students struggle for safer stay in Delhi
Following a fatal building collapse, Delhi students are finding that moving to new neighborhoods does not guarantee safer or better living conditions. Many are forced to pay high rents for substandard, unsafe housing, leading some to drop out or return home.
Why it matters
It underscores the severe lack of affordable, safe student housing in major Indian cities and the economic burden placed on students and their families.
Students leaving Satya Niketan in search of safer living conditions are finding that paying more does not necessarily buy them safety. Even after spending up to ₹20,000 a month, many are ending up in cramped rooms in ageing buildings, with poor ventilation, inadequate facilities and little assurance about structural safety.
The building collapse a few days ago has prompted students to look beyond Satya Niketan, with many exploring areas such as Vasant Gaon, Naraina and Mayapuri, as well as neighbourhoods with easy access to metro stations.
However, for those on limited budgets, the search has often led to the same compromises they were trying to escape. As a result, many have already returned to their hometowns, missing classes.
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