Student housing emerges as common DUSU poll promise

The Satya Niketan building collapse has brought the shortage of hostels and safety concerns in paying guest (PG) accommodation into focus, with candidates making better housing a key manifesto promise for the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.

Student outfits have been releasing their manifestos since September 12, with accommodation emerging as a common thread. They have promised new hostels, safer and regulated PG accommodation, and mechanisms to address students’ housing concerns.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which won three of the four central panel posts in last year’s elections, has promised new hostels for DU colleges, separate hostels for women students in every college and a dedicated student housing helpline.