NEW DELHI: The Delhi government is drawing up a comprehensive policy to regulate paying guest (PG) accommodations in the capital, proposing mandatory operating licences, police and municipal verification, tighter security measures and area-wise rent bands for establishments housing students.Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood outlined the proposed framework, which seeks to bring large student PGs under a structured regulatory system and strengthen accountability of operators.The move comes after the recent collapse of a PG building in Satya Niketan that killed seven people and triggered fresh scrutiny of student accommodation and building safety.
PG operators may need licence, police verification
Under the proposed policy, every PG operator would have to obtain a PG Operating Licence and complete police as well as municipal verification before starting operations.CCTV cameras would be mandatory at entrances and in common areas, with recordings required to be preserved for 30 days.For PGs housing 15 or more students, operators would have to employ a licensed night guard between 10pm and 6am. Visitor registers would also be mandatory, while non-resident visitors would be allowed entry between 8am and 9pm.
Warden to be available within 15 minutes
The proposed rules would require every PG to have a warden either residing on the premises or maintaining an office within a 500-metre radius.The warden would be required to be physically available within 15 minutes in case of an emergency.
Rent regulation committee proposed
To address concerns over arbitrary and high rents, the government has proposed a Rent Regulation Committee that would determine rent bands for different areas.The proposed rent bands would take into account factors such as occupancy levels, amenities provided, prevailing market rates and the PG’s proximity to colleges and public transport.
Panel proposed for student accommodation issues
The draft framework also proposes an Institutional Accommodation Committee comprising college officials, student representatives, a municipal representative and a police liaison officer.The committee would serve as a coordination mechanism between educational institutions, students and government agencies on accommodation-related issues.
Structural audits after Satya Niketan collapse
The proposed policy follows the collapse of a building being used as a PG in Satya Niketan, where seven people were killed. The incident prompted renewed scrutiny of student housing and the safety of buildings operating as PGs.The Delhi government has also announced structural audits of buildings in major PG hubs.Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has said the government is working on a framework under which buildings used for public activities, including PG accommodations, would be required to undergo periodic structural audits and obtain safety certifications.
Vacant govt properties may be used as hostels
The government is also examining the possibility of using vacant government properties to provide student accommodation.Discussions are also underway on increasing hostel capacity in Delhi’s universities and colleges.The proposed framework is aimed at bringing PGs catering to large numbers of students under a more structured regulatory system, with greater accountability for operators and stronger safeguards for residents.(With ANI inputs)
