A catastrophic incident unfolded in the Satya Niketan area of South-West Delhi on Sunday when a five-story PG hostel named 'Hostel Days' collapsed into a heap of debris. The sudden collapse sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, which is a bustling hub for students of Delhi University's South Campus. The building, which housed dozens of students from various prestigious colleges, came down with a deafening sound, leaving the local residents in a state of panic. Immediately after the collapse, people from neighboring buildings rushed out of their homes to find the structure completely leveled, while in the initial moments of the tragedy, locals used their bare hands and whatever tools they could find to move the heavy concrete slabs and rescue those trapped under the rubble. So far, the authorities have confirmed that 3 people have lost their lives in this tragic accident, while 11 individuals have been successfully rescued from the site.
Details of the Hostel Days PG Structure
The 'Hostel Days' PG was a five-story residential building that included a basement. The structure was designed to accommodate a large number of students, with each floor consisting of 4 rooms. According to reports, each room was occupied by 2 to 3 students, meaning that at least 10 students resided on every floor. The second floor of the building was dedicated to a kitchen and a mess facility for the residents, while this PG was a popular choice for students from several Delhi University colleges due to its proximity to the South Campus. Students from Motilal Nehru College and Venkateswara College were among the primary residents. On top of that, the hostel housed students from JMC College, Atma Ram College, Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Gargi College, Maitreyi College, Ram Lal Anand College, and Aryabhatta College, while the collapse has put the lives and futures of these students at risk, highlighting the precarious living conditions in student hubs.
The Role of Basement Construction and Weak Foundation
Preliminary investigations and local testimonies suggest that ongoing construction work in the basement may have triggered the collapse. Rajen Chhetri, a local resident who works with the Delhi Police, provided crucial insights into the building's condition. He stated that the building had approximately 15 rooms, with students paying around 12000 rupees per bed. Chhetri noted that most of the residents hailed from Kerala, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. He revealed that repair or construction work was being carried out in the basement, where water had started to accumulate. According to Chhetri, who has lived in the area for 20 years, the foundation of the building was extremely weak. The combination of a fragile foundation and the vibrations or structural changes caused by the basement work is believed to have led to the total failure of the structure.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
34 PM. Following the call, 8 fire tenders and multiple rescue teams were dispatched to the location. The rescue operation was challenging due to the narrow and crowded lanes of Satya Niketan. One resident described the moment of the collapse to PTI, stating that they felt a slight tremor in their own home, similar to an earthquake, which prompted them to run outside. Before the official rescue teams arrived, the local community took the lead in searching for survivors. There were also concerns regarding the safety of the adjacent building, which appeared to be tilted and at risk of falling. Witnesses claimed that between 35 and 40 students were present on the upper floors at the time of the incident, with some of them being asleep when the building gave way.
Eyewitness Accounts and Narrow Escapes
The tragedy saw several narrow escapes that highlight the suddenness of the collapse. One resident mentioned that he had stepped out of the building just minutes before it fell, though he still sustained some injuries. " Another resident shared a harrowing story of his nephew, who had just passed the building on his motorcycle seconds before the structure came down with a loud explosion-like sound. The nephew remarked that it was a matter of just a few seconds that saved his life. Since the incident occurred on a Sunday, many students who would otherwise have been at college were inside the PG, which could have led to an even higher casualty count.
Concerns Over Maintenance and Structural Safety
The collapse has brought to light the systemic issues regarding PG accommodations in Satya Niketan. Residents pointed out that many old residential houses have been converted into PGs by owners who no longer live on the premises. These owners often manage the properties remotely, collecting rent online without ensuring proper maintenance. The 'Hostel Days' building was reportedly more than 20 years old, and locals claim they had not seen any significant maintenance work done over the years. It's estimated that only 30 percent of the house owners in Satya Niketan actually reside there, with the rest being used as commercial student housing. On top of that, the infrastructure of the area is under strain, with open gutters and sewers being a common sight. Residents are now demanding a structural verification of all properties in the area, questioning how five-story buildings with basements were allowed in a residential zone without proper safety checks.