Archive · 19 Sep 2026
DUSU Polls Highlight Rent, Safety and Hostel Concerns
Delhi University students voted in their student-union elections on Friday.
Many students said finding a safe and affordable place to live is difficult.
Private paying-guest rooms can cost about Rs 20,000 per bed without food.
Students from other states said safety is an especially important concern.
They said university hostels could help if closed or poorly maintained hostels were reopened and improved.
Some students also want cheaper Metro travel to reduce daily costs.
A boys’ PG building near Satya Niketan collapsed on September 6.
After the collapse, one student moved farther away because he no longer felt safe living nearby.
Delhi University students identified high paying-guest rents and scarce affordable housing as major election concerns.
Students said non-functional or closed university hostels could provide safer, cheaper accommodation if reopened and maintained.
Some students also called for Metro fare concessions and lower commuting costs.
The concerns intensified after a five-storey boys’ PG building collapsed near Satya Niketan on September 6.
The collapse killed seven people, injured five and led one student living nearby to move farther away.
- Who
- Delhi University students, including students from other states and South Campus colleges.
- What
- Students voted in the DUSU polls while raising concerns about accommodation costs, safety, hostels and commuting expenses.
- When
- The polls took place on Friday; the Satya Niketan building collapse occurred on September 6 at about 1:30 pm.
- Where
- Delhi University and nearby student-housing areas, including Satya Niketan and Anand Niketan in RK Puram.
- Why
- High private accommodation costs, inadequate hostel facilities, commuting expenses and safety concerns prompted the issues.
- Election
- Delhi University students voted in the DUSU polls on Friday.
- Main concern
- Students described accommodation as a primary concern.
- Reported rent
- Students in Anand Niketan were reported to pay around Rs 20,000 per bed without food.
- Building collapse
- A five-storey boys’ PG building near Satya Niketan collapsed on September 6 at about 1:30 pm.
- Casualties
- Twelve people were rescued; seven died and five were injured.
- Proposed solutions
- Students advocated reopening and maintaining university hostels and offering Metro fare concessions.