Bhopal Hostels Under Safety Cloud: 50,000 Students At Risk As Supreme Court Concern Adds Urgency

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The safety of nearly 50,000 students residing in hostels and coaching centers in the state capital has come under scrutiny following observations made by the Supreme Court during a hearing on September 10. The court expressed alarm over the conditions in these establishments, noting that in some instances, as many as 100 students may be crammed into a single room.

This revelation has sparked concerns over the adequacy of fire and emergency arrangements in these facilities. One such hostel, Gokhale Hostel at Government Motilal Science University in Jahangirabad, is reported to be in a deteriorated state due to years of neglect, raising questions about the regular upkeep and structural inspections of government-run student accommodations.

Despite modern amenities such as tiles, WiFi, air conditioning, and modular furniture in some places, there remains a persistent concern regarding the structural integrity, accessibility of emergency exits, and the presence of valid fire safety certificates. In areas like MP Nagar, Gautam Nagar, Rachna Nagar, Lalghati, and Jawahar Chowk, rents for single-room accommodations range from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per month, with students also facing allegations of broker commissions and demands for advance rent payments.

Furthermore, several multi-storey coaching centers and PGs in Jawahar Chowk are accessed via extremely narrow staircases, cluttered with electrical wiring, pipes, and transformers, leading to recent sealing of establishments like Durrani Academy and Unacademy due to fire safety concerns. The authorities are now under pressure to conduct urgent structural audits, fire-safety inspections, and enforce stricter regulations across Bhopal's student accommodations to ensure the safety of thousands of students.