New Delhi, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : Delhi’s Education Minister Ashish Sood welcomed the recent decision by Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu to form a committee in response to the tragic collapse of a PG building in Satya Niketan. This committee, chaired by Sood, aims to assess student housing arrangements and safety measures.
The high-powered committee will evaluate the ongoing hostel shortage in the national capital. It will also explore new housing options for students, particularly those from other states. The committee consists of 20 members, including the Chief Secretary of Delhi, the Police Commissioner, the MCD Commissioner, the Vice-Chairperson of the DDA, the Chief Fire Officer, and Vice-Chancellors from various universities.
In a post on X, Sood expressed his support for the committee’s formation, emphasizing that ensuring safe, affordable, and adequate housing for students is a top priority. He stated, “I welcome the formation of a high-powered committee on student housing and safety by Honorable Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.”
The committee’s responsibilities include assessing the hostel shortage, identifying new housing options through universities and government agencies, and working towards establishing safe and well-regulated accommodation across Delhi. Sood highlighted the goal of creating a robust support system for students pursuing higher education in the city.
The recent building collapse in Satya Niketan, which resulted in seven fatalities, prompted Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to initiate the formal establishment of a dedicated State Disaster Emergency Relief Force (SDERF) for the capital. This initiative aims to enhance the city’s preparedness and response during major emergencies.
Until now, Delhi has relied on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Delhi Fire Service, and local police for assistance during significant disasters and emergencies. The proposed state-level force is designed to improve response times, coordination among agencies, and overall disaster management capabilities in Delhi.
This move is particularly significant given Delhi’s vulnerability to earthquakes, as it lies within high-risk seismic Zone 4. The region also faces threats from severe flooding and other emergencies that require immediate and specialized rescue efforts.
During a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, senior officials from the Delhi government and NDRF discussed the necessary inputs and recommendations for establishing a modern and efficient SDERF team. The government is taking steps to create a trained, capable, and quick-response mechanism that can be deployed during disasters, reducing reliance on external forces for immediate assistance. This decision follows the building collapse incident, which highlighted the urgent need for a strong local disaster response system.
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