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DU initiates Safety Audit of PGs around University

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DU forms an eight-member committee to inspect PG accommodations and assess safety standards after the Satya Niketan building collapse.

Following the tragic PG building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan, Delhi University has constituted an eight-member committee to assess the safety of PG accommodations near the university. This initiative by the university aims at assessing the safety and reliability of the accommodation to ensure that the housing facilities and options around the university are suitable for students. 

The committee is led by Prof. Rajni Abbi, Director, South Delhi Campus, with key members like Prof. Manoj Kumar Singh (Proctor), ​Prof. Bipin Kumar Tiwary (Estate Officer), Prof. K.P. Singh (Department of Library and Information Science), ​Ashok Saini (Chief Engineer), Prof. Sanjay Kumar (Coordinator, NCC) and ​Ashwani Siwal (Faculty of Law). RP Singh (Joint Registrar, Estate) will serve as the committee’s Member Secretary. 

The committee members will conduct on-site inspections to assess the structural conditions, room layouts and overall living conditions of the existing PG accommodations. They will also examine building safety and the availability and quality of essential utilities provided by the PG owners to the students. 

The committee will further verify whether local PG operators possess the necessary approvals and statutory clearances from civic authorities. The university has given the committee 30 days to submit its findings. 

The committee will also draft a legal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed to facilitate the official recognition of PG accommodations by the University. This move aims to improve the reliability of certain PGs and provide students with greater assurance regarding their safety and security. The initiative comes amid growing concerns over the safety of student accommodation in areas surrounding Delhi University.

Image Caption: The collapsed PG building of Satya Niketan 

Image Credit: Satakshi for DU Beat

Read Also: Satya Niketan Building Collapse: Seven Dead, Owner Arrested, Supreme Court to Examine Case

Vanshika U Singh 

[email protected] 

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DUB News

Delhi University To Add Over 5,500 Hostel Seats, Including 1,000 For Women, After Satya Niketan Collapse

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Following the collapse of a private student accommodation in Satya Niketan that killed seven, Delhi University has announced plans to expand hostel capacity to 12,754 seats, including a new women’s residential facility.

On September 10, Delhi University announced plans to add more than 5,500 new hostel seats, including 1,000 reserved for women. This comes days after a five-storey private accommodation collapsed in Satya Niketan on September 6, killing seven students.

At the university level, seat capacity is set to rise from 3,422 to 7,344; an addition of 3,922 seats. DU-affiliated colleges currently offer around 3,788 hostel seats and are expected to add another 1,622, taking combined capacity to 5,410. The university stated that these projects would increase total hostel capacity across DU and its colleges to 12,754, nearly doubling existing provision.

Among the new projects is a 1,000-seat facility for women called the Nirbhaya Residential Accommodation, as well as a 1,050-seat studio apartment complex. A 1,450-seat hostel at the Dhaka Complex in Mukherjee Nagar, which comes under the Institution of Eminence scheme, is also nearing completion. 

Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh convened a meeting of college principals earlier this week to discuss the Satya Niketan collapse, at which a two-minute silence was observed for the students who passed away due to the tragedy. He asked principals to review existing residential facilities and expedite hostel projects already under construction. The university is also expected to submit fresh hostel proposals to the government. The university also said that this expansion reflects efforts undertaken over the past four to five years, amid renewed scrutiny of the shortage of affordable student housing around DU’s campuses.

Delhi University has over 2.5 lakh students enrolled, with existing hostel capacity accommodating only a fraction of them. This leaves many outstation students dependent on private paying guest accommodation similar to the kind that collapsed in Satya Niketan.

Separately, the National Human Rights Commission has directed the Delhi government and the University Grants Commission to draw up a time-bound plan addressing the shortage of affordable hostel accommodation for outstation students, days after the collapse.

Read Also: UGC-NET Re-examination: NTA Warns Delhi Candidates of Traffic Delays Ahead of BRICS Summit

Image Caption: Rajiv Gandhi Hostel for Girls (RGHG) at DU’s Dhaka Hostel Complex, an existing  postgraduate hostel in Mukherjee Nagar. 

Image Source: Delhi University

Vidhi Ramchandani
[email protected]

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DUB News

Satya Niketan Building Collapse: Seven Dead, Owner Arrested, Supreme Court to Examine Case

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A five-storey PG, accommodating at least 50 students, collapsed in Satya Niketan on 6th September 2026. A cascade of arrests, demolitions, judicial proceedings, and institutional reckoning over the safety of student housing across the capital follows, with at least 7 people dead. 

At around 1:30 pm on Sunday, 6th September 2026, a five-storey building at Property No. P-14, Satya Niketan, South-West Delhi collapsed. The building, operating as a boys’ accommodation under the name “Hostel Daze”, measured approximately 55 square yards and comprised a basement and four floors above ground level. Preliminary material placed before the Supreme Court indicates that construction-related work was being carried out in or around the basement at the time of the collapse, and reports of waterlogging in the basement had emerged immediately before the incident. Seven people died, and at least twelve were rescued and taken to hospital, including the AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital. AIIMS confirmed that of the ten patients received at the JPN Trauma Centre, four were dead on arrival, and one who was in a critical state later succumbed to injuries.

The Delhi Police registered an FIR at the South Campus Police Station under Sections 105, 290, and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The building’s owner, 81-year-old Hariram Gupta, along with his 75-year-old wife, Urmila Gupta, is under judicial custody. Their son, Mahesh Gupta, is under police custody. Five South Zone officers, including a Deputy Commissioner and four structural engineers, were suspended for negligence in oversight.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad held demonstrations outside MCD headquarters demanding mandatory structural safety audits for all student accommodations. Some students and family members alleged that the death toll had been underreported, though authorities did not publicly address this claim.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government was working to draft a policy requiring buildings of a certain age to submit a structural audit report certifying their safety. Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi described the collapse as appearing, prima facie, to be an accident linked to negligence and likely substandard construction materials.

A city-wide order was also issued to seal unauthorised structures exceeding four storeys. Across Delhi, a crackdown followed: 24 properties were demolished and seven sealed as part of an MCD enforcement drive.

The matter reached the Supreme Court on 8th September. A bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan took up the case after Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha, Amicus Curiae in an ongoing matter concerning building bye-law violations across the country, sought an early hearing. Sinha’s status report noted that Satya Niketan had not been covered by the Supreme Court’s earlier inspection exercise. Sinha proposed extending the inspection exercise to PG accommodations, private hostels, and student housing establishments across Delhi, covering sanctioned building plans, basement alterations, fire-safety compliance, and structural safety. The Court indicated it may transfer to itself the PIL pending before the Delhi High Court, noting that the issues overlapped with its ongoing pan-India monitoring of building violations.

Separately, the National Human Rights Commission directed authorities to ensure adequate hostel facilities for Delhi University students in light of the incident, underscoring the wider concern that insufficient university-run accommodation pushes students towards unregulated private PGs.

Image Caption: The site of the Satya Niketan building collapse

Image Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap (sourced from The Hindu)

Read Also: ABVP Protest Over Satya Niketan Collapse Turns Violent at MCD Headquarters 

Rishika Jain
[email protected]

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DUB Speak

The Best Pocket Friendly Milkshakes in Satya Niketan

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A food haven for starving South Delhi students, Satya Niketan has various hidden (and some not so hidden) gems in its vicinity, offering a wide variety of cold coffees and milkshakes. 

 A delicious and filling snack, the milkshake is one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to satiate a starving belly and beat the scorching Delhi summers. A constant for South Campus college students, Satya Niketan (better known as ‘Satya’) is a lane frequented by most, owing to its abundance of affordable eating joints, and vibrant college crowd. 

DU Beat brings to you a list of places in Satya Niketan that offer the best milkshakes and cold coffee, without pinching your pocket.

  • Sandwedges

Recently opened in March, Sandwedges soon gained popularity among students for its cheap Sandwiches, fries and milkshakes. It is a two-story, air-conditioned place that offers plenty seating area, making it a popular and convenient spot for students to catch a break between classes. The Classic Cold Coffee and Oreo Shake are highly recommended and are a must try.

Price of Cold Coffee -Rs 40

Price of Oreo Shake- Rs 70

  • High On Burgers

A quaint shop right beside the main Satya Square, this brightly painted cafe is a hit among the college crowd. Despite its lack of space, the place is a popular spot for coffee, the Cold Coffee being a major crowd pleaser. The perfect blend of ice cream and coffee gives it the consistency of a shake, making it the perfect drink to satiate sweet cravings.

Price of Cold Coffee- Rs 60

  • Bistro

Both South and North Campus students alike can vouch for the credibility of Bistro. It is known for its wide variety of milkshakes, coffees, and other beverages, making decision making a foodie’s worst nightmare. The Cold Coffee and the Chocolate Shake come highly recommended and are must try’s especially for those with an undying love for chocolate.

Price of Cold Coffee- Rs 50

Price of Chocolate Shake- Rs 70

  • Chai Latte

The new kid on the block, Chai Latte offers pasta at prices that are hard to ignore. Apart from the delectable and reasonable pasta, it offers amazing milkshakes, a personal favorite being the KitKat milkshake and the Brownie milkshake. It has an outdoor seating area where students can sit and devour their favorite pasta and milkshakes.

  • Delhi Juice and Shakes

Delhi Juice and Shakes serves as a reminder of a time when cafes weren’t the norm. A small shack,it offers milkshakes at unbelievably cheap rates. It is a quick way to quench your thirst between classes, without the added guilt of having a done some serious damage to your wallet.

Price of a standard milkshake (any flavour, small)- Rs 30

 

Feature Image Credits: whatsuplife.in

 

Anoushka Singh

[email protected]

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Uncategorized

Schmooze with Strangers

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Project FUEL (Forward the Understanding of Every Life Lesson), founded in 2009 by Deepak Ramola, collects life lessons from people all over the world and turns them into interactive session with performance activities, to pass on the learning. The passing on happens by way of workshops, seminars, and sometimes even over coffee. To facilitate more such exchanges Project FUEL initiated Pop–Up cafe, a place where people can pass on and receive all the wisdom from each other.

On 18th March, Saturday, Project FUEL organised the first ever Delhi version of Pop-Up Cafe  at Cafe 121, Satya Niketan from 4pm- 7pm. DU Beat had a wonderful opportunity to be part of the meet up.

A diverse crowd of 35-40 people gathered at Cafe 121 and soon after a brief introduction session by the volunteers everyone was randomly allotted a seat at different tables. It was made sure that on each table everyone is a stranger.

To start off, everyone was asked to give an introduction and then, was asked to assign three adjectives and talk about the first impression of everyone at their table. To make sure that the conversations keep flowing and things stay interesting, small games and appetising snacks were infused. For instance, people were given a placard each with various questions on it which resulted in a fun question and answer session. These placards were later given out as souvenirs. At the end, everyone was told to give one advice, tip, or any life lesson that they thought would add value in one’s life.

Later in the day after two hours of surprisingly unreserved chats the session was called to an end, but it wasn’t all. Before leaving, the oldest member of project fuel Miss. Sharaddha taught us the “Happiness Song” which was followed by an impromptu open-mic session where people recited poems, shayaris and songs.

Acceptance is the first step in overcoming bad memories and moving beyond the unjust happenings of past. It takes a great deal of courage to acknowledge the troubling aspects of one’s life, but with support and impartial understanding speaking out become easy. Keeping this in mind the last activity of the day was conducted. Based on the principles of Sociometry it encouraged people to speak out. Many individuals came forward and shared their life experiences with others, and with the uplifting display of solidarity and catharsis the meet-up was concluded.

Niharika Dabral
([email protected])

Nikhil Kumar
([email protected])

Gerush Bahal
([email protected])

 

 

 

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Reviews

Food Review: Off-Campus, Satya Niketan

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Off-Campus attempts to attain a few off-beat features and become more than just ‘another café’ in Satya Niketan.With spacious and lightly decorated indoor and rooftop setting, the café tries to capture the essence of simplicity, unlike most of the competitive cafes of the area. The yellow walls along the staircase leading to the 4th floor are filled with red coloured, unusual designs that won’t fail to catch your eye. Simple, cozy, interiors characterized by brick textured walls and vibrant lampshades are coupled with an open air setting, which gives a fine view of Sri Venkateswara College.Railway lights, Decorative Glasses, Upside down Lamps, Hanging Fans and Sober Frames give it a more exquisite look. A quick scan through the menu gave an idea of diversity, with items ranging from ‘Road wali Aloo Tikki’, and ‘Malabar Parathas’ to ‘Squid pizza Kalamari’. The café is also popular for its diverse range and sizes of Hookahs. After endless probing of the menu, we ordered ‘Addictive Nachos’ and ‘Punjab Da Pita Pockets’ for starters. Following that, we asked for pizza customization where two slices of margherita were coupled with an entirely contrasting flavor of ‘Peri-Peri Chicken Pizza’ and ‘Butter Chicken Croquettes’. Lastly, we added a ‘Ferrero Rocher Shake’ and ‘Water Melon Mojito’ after taking suggestions from a helpful waiter. [caption id="attachment_44395" align="aligncenter" width="169"]Customised Pizza Customised Pizza[/caption] [caption id="attachment_44394" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Addictive Nachos Addictive Nachos[/caption] As its name suggests, ‘Addictive Nachos’ turned out to be extremely delectable. The ‘Bloody Mary Salsa and Sour Cream Dip’ accentuated the flavor of simple corn tortilla chips, that were topped with cheddar cheese and tangy jalapeno salsa. ‘Punjab Da Pita Pockets’, I would say, were average in both taste and presentation. The amalgamation of ‘Channa Patties’ and ‘Lebanese Pickle’ was however, an intriguing idea. The one item, which according to me, wouldn’t disappoint anyone visiting, is ‘Peri-Peri Chicken Pizza’: a thin crust pizza topped with delicious, grilled peri-peri chicken. The crust isn’t too doughy or too hard, and the tangy chicken and pepper toppings give it a scrumptious flavor. Best suited to the typical Punjabi palates, the Butter Chicken Croquettes were cylindrical chicken pieces with a buttery, creamy texture served with ‘Punjabi Makhani’ gravy that successfully provides you with the taste you’d been craving for. Among the drinks, ‘Ferrero Rocher Shake’ is a must try. The shake is thick yet subtle in flavor, with the perfect sprinkle of Rocher on top. The ‘Watermelon Mojito’ seemed satisfactory, with the syrupy taste slightly overpowering the actual mojito essence. While all the dishes are served in simple, wooden plates, the cooler drinks arrived in attractive glass jars. [caption id="attachment_44396" align="aligncenter" width="169"]Watermelon Mojito Watermelon Mojito[/caption] Overall, the café experience was great. Trying something ‘over the edge’ after various monotonous cafes felt worthwhile. The price comes to around a thousand for two or three people, and that, coupled with good hospitality and decent music, definitely calls for another visit soon! Image Credits- Lovleen Kaur Lovleen Kaur [email protected]]]>

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Campus Central

Food Review : Cafe Hera Pheri, Satya Niketan

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Ambience: The first thing that catches the eye is the vivid and intriguing interiors, based on an interesting upside down concept, well suggested by the café name. The ceiling is adorned by colorful inverted lamps, tables, windows and even stairs while the antique telephones, bicycle and clocks embellish the walls. The open-view kitchen surrounded by real and unreal frames, mirrors and brick setup successfully enhances the aesthetics of this strangely fascinating café.

Food and Menu:

The menu contains numerous options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Owned by Punjabis, the menu is characterized by certain ‘Hatke’ amalgamations like Nawabi Murg Makhani Pasta and Makhani Achaari Pasta. The other items include varieties of soups, salads, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, appetizers, beverages and desserts. The special dishes keep changing on a weekly basis. The first item we ordered was Golgappa shots. Filled with minced chicken or cheese, it’s a must try on any foodie’s bucket list. Another impressive dish was Hot Chicken wings, served with barbeque sauce. The outer crust was tangy and crispy while the spices were extremely consistent and decent. The chicken also seemed well cooked. Our next order, Stadium nachos, with an overwhelming and tasty flavour also didn’t fail to match the expectations. Talking about desserts and beverages, Oreo cheese cake and Sharatta strawberry shake are a must try. The smooth texture and subtleness give you the exact taste you’ve been waiting for. [caption id="attachment_39636" align="aligncenter" width="480"]Golgappa Shots Golgappa Shots at Cafe Hera Pheri[/caption] Music deserves a special mention in this cafe. In addition to some incredible food, the one thing that manages to impress every customer is the hospitality, where each and every customer is treated with sheer love and attention. The customers are also given Polaroid instant snaps by the owners as a symbolic memory.

Final Verdict:

The food prices come to be roughly 350 per person, inclusive of drinks or desserts. Overall, Café Hera Pheri proves to be that impeccable place for students who want to enjoy some amazing music along with budget-friendly food. Image Credits: Udit Malhotra for Zomato]]>

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DU Dhaba

Food Review: 2 Bandits, Satya Niketan

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What might not seem very impressive and little generic at first, will definitely surprise you once your table starts piling up with mouth-watering delights. Situated right in the heart of Satya Niketan, 2 Bandits certainly lives up to the standards set by the cafés and food joints around.

The ambience is fairly suitable for any meal of the day, the interiors of the place being carefully defined. Along with offering some exceptional specials, it is also a paradise for all hookah-lovers. Double-Apple, Mint, Orange, you name it, they have it! The food menu was very comprehensive, having  indigenous Vada- Paavs and Bruschettas in the list. It also managed to have a vibrant non-vegetarian food list which certainly tasted as exotic as it sounded.

The Chicken Steak Sizzler was one of the most served and enjoyed dishes the place had to offer. The mashed filling between chicken breast was exceptionally different from the regular chicken sizzlers our taste-buds are used to. Potato wedges with the chicken proved to be a splendid side dish. A must-try for vegetarians is The Arabian Night-Veg which is a divine vegetarian paneer wrap served with Garlic Mayo. Veg and Chicken Panini were also favourites.

The café also has a very attractive shakes and mocktail menu. The Lamberjack, a chocolate brownie tasted as fancy as it sounds, served in chemistry lab beakers. The mild taste of Apple with a tinge of Mint and Lemon enabled the Apple Soaked Mojito to make a place in the special recommendations. The evergreen iced tea served in an unconventional funnel-shaped flask tasted as good as it should have.

With all the unusual appetizers the place has to offer, it also carries the basic pasta, burger and pizza menu beginning from as low as 95 rupees. One of the highlights of the café was the tree trunk standing right at the entrance with paper leaves hanging from it boughs, carrying hundreds of memories and messages. With its overall charisma and ambience (not to forget, the affordability for the young crowd out there), this place is certainly worth a visit.

Rating: 4.3/5

Image Credits: 2 Bandits Facebook Page

Arushi Pathak
[email protected]

 

 

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DU Dhaba

Food Review: Kai Chicken

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Kai Chicken, a very oriental name that boasts of a wide ranging menu, but does it live up to the standards of us DU students?

Location: Kai Chicken is located about 10 steps down the lane from Chowrangee, right next to Bubble Tea Shop (which has shifted) this makes it very accessible. Even though their board is quite in everyone’s face, the clutter of Satya Niketan may force you to overlook this place.

Ambience: As soon as you enter this eatery, be rest assured you’ll forget that you are in Satya. The place is neat and clean, quite spacious- which comes as a surprise and we could not miss the powerful AC that gives much needed respite.

IMG-20130808-WA0004

Menu and Food: The most crucial aspect of an eating joint, its food. Sadly Kai Chicken does not fare too well here. We found the burgers to be bite sized, compared to the hogger’s delight the menu displayed. The wrap we ordered was mostly cold and seemed half heartedly done up. They do take into account a wide variety of non vegetarian food- mainly chicken and can prove to be a refreshing change for chicken lovers.

Service: It took more than a reasonable amount of time for our food to find its way to our table. This seemed even more unreasonable as there weren’t any other customers at the time. However, service at the counter is prompt and we have no qualms whatsoever. The option of home delivery is also there, so you can order Kai right to your PG.

Value for money: Here is where the hoardings get really misleading. They boast of a very student friendly price tag, but it isn’t all that friendly. The average cost for 2 for a meal can touch Rs. 400/- if drinks, main course and dessert were to be taken into account.

Unmissables: You can certainly not miss the ceramic- burger shaped jar- that houses ketchup sachets- very eye catching. In terms of food the Chicken bucket and Chicken fingers with the variety of dips are worth a try.

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Arts & Culture

Fat Cow – Satya’s own Milk Bar

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As you enter this Milk Bar situated right next to Chowringhee Lane in Satya Niketan, you wouldn’t help but notice your favourite chocolates and your nose will savour some of the best aromas. Fat Cow is an exclusive milk bar serving you some of the most scrumptious and exotic shakes. The menu will excite you as it has numerous options of cookies, cakes and chocolates freshly being converted into mouth-watering shakes. You can choose from a wide variety of the finest chocolates and cookies like Cadbury, After-Eight, Ferrero rocher, M&M’s, Oreo and Mc Vities. Fruit and Energy shakes are other options that can be explored.

The most appetizing of all shakes are the assorted ones consisting of world-class flavours like peanut butter, marshmallow, vanilla-mint, muffin and pudding. The shakes are absolutely delicious and succulent. Further on, you can top up your shake with toppings like almonds, choco chips, crumbled cakes or brownies which make every sip even more delightful and lip smacking. “The shakes at Fat Cow are much cheaper and tastier than what you get at most of the cafes and fast food joints”, says Vibha Chaudhary a student of Maitreyi College.

The shakes are served in huge take away glasses, and a hearty glass will cost you not more than 80 -90 bucks.

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