New Delhi: Bollywood actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has raised concerns over the lack of affordable and safe accommodation for students following the tragic building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan area. The incident, which occurred near Delhi University's South Campus and reportedly claimed the lives of seven students, has once again brought attention to the difficult living conditions faced by young people who move to the national capital for education. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Sonu Sood urged authorities to take a long-term approach to student accommodation instead of addressing the issue only after accidents occur. He suggested that governments and universities should work together to create safe, reasonably priced hostels for students close to educational institutions.
Sonu Sood Raises Questions Over Student Safety
Sood highlighted the challenges faced by thousands of students who leave their homes every year to pursue higher education in cities such as Delhi. Many students, particularly those coming from other states, depend on paying guest facilities, rented rooms and private hostels because university accommodation is limited. According to the figures cited by Sood, Delhi has around 7 lakh students, while hostel facilities are available for only about 30,000. This means that a very small proportion of students are able to secure accommodation through formal hostel facilities. The actor questioned whether enough attention is being given to providing students with safe places to live while they pursue their academic goals.
One in 31 Students Gets a Hostel
In a post on X, Sood pointed to the huge gap between the number of students and the available hostel capacity. Based on the figures he cited, only around one out of every 31 students can access hostel accommodation. His comments have brought the issue of student housing back into the spotlight. For many families, sending a child to another city for education already involves significant financial and emotional pressure. Finding accommodation that is both affordable and safe can add another major challenge. Private accommodation near universities can also be expensive, particularly in areas where demand from students is high.
Suggests Using Vacant Government Land
Sood proposed identifying vacant government land located around universities and using it to develop dedicated student hostels. The idea, he suggested, could provide students with accommodation close to their campuses while reducing their dependence on potentially unsuitable private housing options. Such facilities could be planned with basic safety requirements, proper infrastructure and affordable rental rates. Locating hostels close to universities could also reduce commuting time and transportation costs for students.
More On-Campus Accommodation Could Be an Option
Apart from government land, Sood also suggested giving universities additional permission to construct accommodation within their campuses. Universities with sufficient land and infrastructure could potentially expand their residential facilities to accommodate more students. Increasing on-campus housing could provide students with a more controlled and secure living environment while also making campus life more convenient. However, any expansion of hostel facilities would need proper planning, funding and strict compliance with building and fire-safety standards.
A Concern Shared by Students and Parents
The issue of student accommodation is not limited to housing alone. For parents, the safety of their children is often a major concern when they move to another city. Students, meanwhile, have to balance education expenses with rent, food, transportation and other daily costs. Affordable university hostels could potentially reduce some of this financial burden. Sood's comments therefore focus on a broader question: whether student accommodation should be treated as an essential part of educational infrastructure rather than simply a private housing issue.
Safety Should Be a Priority
The Satya Niketan building collapse has renewed attention on the importance of safety standards in buildings used as residential accommodation. When students live in rented properties or paying guest facilities, they may have limited information about structural safety, emergency exits, fire protection and other essential requirements. Authorities and educational institutions could play a greater role in ensuring that students have access to accommodation that meets basic safety standards. Regular inspections, clear regulations and better awareness among students and property operators could also help reduce potential risks.
Sonu Soods Appeal to Policymakers
Sood's proposal ultimately calls for a coordinated effort between governments and universities. Instead of leaving students to navigate the housing market on their own, authorities could explore dedicated accommodation policies for students. He argued that such an approach could benefit multiple groups. Students would have safer housing, parents would have greater peace of mind, while universities and governments could potentially generate revenue through properly managed accommodation facilities.
A Bigger Conversation on Student Housing
The actor's remarks have added a wider policy dimension to the tragedy. Beyond the immediate response to the building collapse, the availability and safety of student housing remains an issue that affects thousands of young people every year. For students arriving in Delhi from different parts of the country, a safe and affordable place to live is closely connected to their ability to study and build their careers. As authorities continue to deal with the aftermath of the Satya Niketan incident, Sood's call for better student hostels has opened an important conversation about how cities and universities can create safer living environments for the next generation.
