Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Bhopal Hostels Face Safety Questions Amid Supreme Court Concern
Many students in Bhopal live in hostels and paying-guest accommodations.
Reports say nearly 50,000 students may be affected by safety concerns.
The Supreme Court recently discussed dangerous buildings and crowded student facilities.
Some places may house almost 100 students in one room.
Older buildings may not have safe exits, fire equipment or regular inspections.
One university hostel was reported to be in poor condition.
Some coaching centres and facilities have narrow staircases and tangled electrical wiring.
Authorities have sealed two coaching centres because of fire NOC problems.
Officials are being urged to inspect buildings and enforce safety rules.
Supreme Court observations on September 10 renewed concerns about unsafe hostels and coaching centres.
Nearly 50,000 students reportedly live in hostels and paying-guest accommodations across Bhopal.
Several facilities allegedly lack adequate fire arrangements, emergency exits, structural inspections and fire NOCs.
Gokhale Hostel at Government Motilal Science University was reported to be deteriorating after years of neglect.
Authorities recently sealed Durrani Academy and Unacademy over fire NOC issues.
- Who
- Nearly 50,000 students living in Bhopal hostels and paying-guest accommodations, along with hostel and coaching-centre operators and authorities.
- What
- Safety concerns have intensified over the structural condition, fire preparedness and emergency arrangements at hostels, PGs and coaching centres.
- When
- The concerns were renewed after Supreme Court observations during a hearing on September 10.
- Where
- Bhopal, including MP Nagar, Gautam Nagar, Rachna Nagar, Lalghati, Jawahar Chowk and Jahangirabad.
- Why
- Many facilities allegedly operate in ageing or deteriorated buildings without adequate structural inspections, emergency exits, fire arrangements or fire NOCs.
Safety Advocates
Operators and Authorities
Need for inspections
Safety Advocates
Student-safety concerns call for urgent structural audits, fire-safety inspections and strict enforcement.
Operators and Authorities
The article reports recent sealing action against two coaching centres, but does not provide a broader response from operators or authorities.
Condition of facilities
Safety Advocates
Ageing structures, narrow staircases, inadequate emergency arrangements and possible overcrowding are presented as serious risks.
Operators and Authorities
Some facilities have modern interiors such as tiles, WiFi, air conditioning and modular furniture, although the article says these features do not establish structural or emergency safety.
- Students affected
- Nearly 50,000 students reportedly live in hostels and PG accommodations across Bhopal.
- Supreme Court hearing
- The safety concerns were renewed after observations made during a September 10 hearing.
- Reported crowding
- The court reportedly noted that some facilities may accommodate nearly 100 students in one room.
- Reported rents
- Single-room rents in MP Nagar and Gautam Nagar reportedly range from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per month.
- Reported facility issues
- Concerns include narrow staircases, tangled electrical wiring, nearby pipes and transformers, and missing fire NOCs.
- Recent enforcement
- Durrani Academy and Unacademy were recently sealed over fire NOC issues.
- Highlighted hostel
- Gokhale Hostel at Government Motilal Science University was reported to be deteriorating after years of neglect.