Residents of Satya Niketan in New Delhi have called for strict action against so-called 'Paying Guest Mafias' following a multi-storied building collapse in the area that claimed seven lives. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has since initiated action against the building adjoining the collapsed structure, declaring it 'dangerous' — a step locals say came far too late.

Students and Locals Voice Anger

An undergraduate student, Ayush, said the MCD had issued a notice to the PG accommodation a month before the collapse, yet no action was taken. 'MCD should have undertaken such precautions earlier. Despite a notice being issued a month back, the PG kept on functioning, and no action was taken against them... the problem here is that action is taken only after a tragedy takes place,' he said.

Ayush further alleged that politicians were prioritising their own interests over student safety, and called for the resignation of the MCD Commissioner. He noted that a single bed in PG accommodations in the area costs between ₹12,000 and ₹14,000 per month, 'that too with zero facilities.' He urged the government and colleges to provide proper hostel facilities to students.

A local resident, Priyanka, demanded the demolition of all 'dilapidated buildings' in the area. 'If another incident takes place, it will again lead to loss of lives as tragedy can happen anytime... There are many hotels in the area which are also in poor condition; people can die even while eating there,' she warned. She also accused the government of failing to arrange alternative accommodation for displaced students, pointing out that many had taken shelter at gurudwaras and were being fed there.

A salesman, Pradeep, said he had been unable to work since the collapse on Sunday, as the stationery shop he supplied goods to had remained shut in the aftermath.

Arrests in the Case

On Wednesday, Delhi Police arrested PG operator Sudhanshu in connection with the building collapse, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to five. The arrests signal a widening of the investigation into accountability for the tragedy.

MCD Action and the Broader Safety Crisis

The MCD's move to declare the adjoining building dangerous has drawn criticism for being reactive rather than preventive. Residents argue that the collapse has exposed a systemic failure in oversight of PG accommodations — a sector that houses tens of thousands of students and working professionals across Delhi. Notably, this incident follows a pattern of building safety lapses in the capital, where rapid and often unregulated construction has outpaced civic inspection capacity.

What Comes Next

With five arrests made and the MCD now surveying neighbouring structures, pressure is mounting on authorities to conduct a comprehensive audit of PG accommodations across Satya Niketan and similar student-dense localities. Residents and students are demanding both immediate rehabilitation support and structural reforms to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.