Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to address student concerns over high paying guest rents, unsafe accommodation, poor civic services and inadequate safety measures during a surprise inspection of Mukherjee Nagar, the Capital’s prominent coaching and educational hub.
During her visit on Tuesday evening, Gupta interacted with students at a tea shop and heard complaints covering affordable study spaces, drinking water, sanitation, street lighting, CCTV surveillance, coaching institute safety and library access. Students from Mukherjee Nagar, Nehru Vihar and neighbouring colonies also raised concerns about hostel facilities, room ventilation, construction-related inconvenience and food quality.
A key issue was the shortage of affordable places to study. Students told the Chief Minister that high library fees and the closure of existing facilities were affecting their preparation for competitive examinations. Gupta directed officials to assess operational libraries for infrastructure and safety standards and work with the local MLA to identify vacant plots or community buildings where a free library could be established.
The visit also brought attention to the cost and condition of student accommodation. Students cited high PG rents, security deposits and brokerage charges, along with inadequate hostel facilities. Gupta said the government was working on a policy for paying guest accommodation and additional hostels to improve housing options for students in the area.
Women students highlighted difficulties in commuting after dark, particularly on stretches with inadequate street lighting. The Chief Minister asked officials to review street-lighting and CCTV coverage and directed police representatives to take action against vehicles using unauthorised dark-tinted films. The directions place student safety within a wider concern about how poorly monitored streets and weak surveillance affect access to education after evening hours.
Gupta also inspected civic facilities, including a public toilet that had reportedly remained closed for a long period. She instructed officials to convert it into a Pink Toilet and make it operational soon, while calling for regular maintenance of public toilets and the identification of locations for additional facilities.
Residents and students complained about garbage accumulation, foul smells and irregular cleaning in the narrow lanes of Mukherjee Nagar, Nehru Vihar and adjoining colonies. The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct regular inspections and ensure that sanitation work covered residential streets rather than stopping at the main roads.
Students further raised concerns about possible sewage contamination of drinking-water supplies during rainfall. Gupta asked officials to investigate the complaints and take corrective measures to ensure water quality and a reliable supply. The issue adds water-network safety to the area’s broader list of infrastructure concerns, alongside drainage, sanitation and road-level maintenance.
Noise and fire safety were also discussed during the interaction. Students complained that loudspeakers were disrupting studies at night and flagged inadequate fire-safety arrangements, including unsafe exits in coaching institutes and libraries. Gupta called for inspections to verify compliance with fire-safety norms and building-safety requirements, while directing officials to enforce prescribed noise regulations.
The inspection has therefore placed several everyday systems serving Mukherjee Nagar’s student population under review, from accommodation and study spaces to public toilets, waste collection, water supply, lighting and emergency access. The next steps will depend on officials’ inspections, the identification of sites for a free library and the proposed action on PG accommodation, hostels and safety compliance.
