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Delhi PGs didn’t become unsafe overnight. Students have been living with danger

Satya Niketan tragedy forces us to reconsider the everyday hazards that students are expected to tolerate. A cracked ceiling, exposed wiring, faulty plumbing, overcrowding, poor ventilation, or a neglected structural problem.

Did the recent Satya Niketan tragedy shock you? Well, it should have. But if you have spent enough time living as a paying guest in Delhi, you might also find yourself asking an uncomfortable question – how surprising is it, really, that a poorly maintained building eventually becomes a safety hazard?

I would be lying if I said most PGs come with well-maintained buildings and reliable facilities. Every owner, however, seems to have mastered the art of selling a dream. “24/7 water supply”, “fully furnished”, “safe and secure”, “all amenities available” — the list of promises goes on. The actual experience, unfortunately, can be quite the opposite.

For a student living miles away from home, one would assume that basic necessities are, well, basic. Water, for instance, should not qualify as a........

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