The civic infrastructure in Delhi's Satya Niketan has not kept pace with the rapid development, leading to deteriorating conditions. The owner of the building that collapsed, killing seven students, has been arrested, and the Delhi government has promised to punish negligent officials. However, no case will be registered to investigate the subhuman living conditions that tenants endure daily, which have turned the area into an urban slum designed to maximize rent yields.

Satya Niketan's proximity to Delhi University's South Campus makes it a hub for hostels, attracting students from across the country. The location advantage has led residents to convert residential spaces into commercial hostels, with thousands of students living in these structures. The civic infrastructure has not kept up with the influx of tenants and the greed of landlords, resulting in visible signs of collapse.

The signs of infrastructure collapse are evident throughout Satya Niketan. Tangled wires hang overhead, alleys are so narrow that two people cannot walk abreast, and buildings are disproportionately tall, depriving occupants of sunlight year-round. Streets are crowded and dirty, with students often unable to walk without bumping into others. Hostel owners cram multiple students into single rooms, charging high fees for minimal facilities.

NDTV visited one such hostel, where scores of clothing items were hanging in the hallway to dry. The hostel owner referred to a small space with a gas stove and a cylinder as a kitchen, which had no electricity supply. The hallway was so narrow that passersby had to navigate carefully around coolers. Rooms were dismal, with three beds placed next to each other, and students had only a cooler and a fan for ventilation. Natural light is a luxury that students can only afford by leaving the area.

Rents are charged based on beds, not rooms, with some charging Rs 6,000 per bed. This results in a cost of Rs 18,000 for a room with no ventilation. Students face threats of eviction if rent is delayed, with no checks on the state of the hostel facilities. One student noted that the electricity bill is extra, and during rains, there is no mobile network. Another student described the lack of basic amenities, including the inability to charge phones or call parents during an electricity disruption.

The demand-supply gap in hostel accommodations is significant, with over 700,000 students at Delhi University and only 8,000 hostel rooms available. Hostel owners are aware of the safety hazards but include indemnity clauses in rent agreements, absolving them of responsibility for any casualties. Students like Arpit Yadav, who live in these conditions, express fear of another disaster, with some planning to leave Delhi for good. One student recounted witnessing the collapse of a building, where they helped dig out a friend from the debris, highlighting the real danger faced by residents in the area.