Cyberabad police direct hostels to keep updated records of guests, follow fire safety rules

Hyderabad: Cyberabad police have asked the hostel owners to maintain clear and updated records of their paying guests for security purposes.

The Cyberabad Police Commissioner stated that the region—from Madhapur to Balanagar zones—has approximately 4,000 hostels equipped with cyber facilities, and it is important to ensure security measures and infrastructure and address fire safety concerns.

A coordination meeting with hostel owners at the Cyberabad CP Office Main Conference Hall on Wednesday discussed the issues of safety and sustainability. As many as 225 hostel owners attended a meeting to discuss hostels’ safety and management.

Hostels are the nerve centre of Hyderabad’s IT hub

Over the past two decades, Cyberabad has developed into a major IT hub, maintaining steady growth even during the pandemic. Additionally, Hyderabad is emerging as a global centre for capability centres, healthcare services and photonics.

These hostels offer a range of budget-friendly to premium accommodations, primarily serving out-of-state residents. The city’s advanced infrastructure, well-organised traffic and high-quality hostel facilities make Cyberabad a preferred destination for students and working professionals.

Hostel owners must verify backgrounds and make every resident follow the rules

During the meeting, Jt CP Traffic Dr Gajarao Bhupal, IPS, emphasised that hostel owners must maintain clear and updated records of their paying guests.

They should verify the background and behaviour of each resident and ensure that all guests adhere to the rules and regulations of hostels. The hostel owners must collect essential details, including the guest’s Aadhaar card, recent photograph, phone number, workplace details and emergency contact information of a family member.

“In case of any medical emergency, they should immediately call an ambulance and arrange hospital admission for the guest. Additionally, hostel owners should monitor residents’ daily schedules, including their office timings and the routes they take to work, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all,” he said.

A centralised platform to contain details of all hostels

SCSC Women Forum Director Mamatha stated that to enhance hostels’ security and comfort, the Safe Stay Project launched by the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) has taken up 10 key guidelines as parameters and conducted a survey. Additionally, SCSC will develop a centralised platform that provides detailed information on hostels, including room availability, pricing and amenities.

75 per cent of hostels non-compliant with fire safety rules

The HYDRAA Additional Director (Fire) highlighted fire safety concerns, with 75 per cent of hostels non-compliant. Authorities must ensure hostels obtain the mandatory fire NOC and follow safety protocols like proper electrical, kitchen and smoking material handling, along with smoke detectors and alarms.

He also said that the Telangana Fire Services Department offers a one-day fire safety training for hostel staff. SCSC, police, and hostel owners should collaborate on fire safety to improve safety and uphold Telangana’s security standards.

Essential guidelines for hostel safety and security

- Secure main and wicket gates with strict entry and exit protocols using ID cards and visitor logs.

- Maintain a minimum 5-meter-high compound wall with regular inspections to prevent breaches.

- Deploy trained security personnel 24/7 with proper background checks.

- Keep a visitor register and allow entry only after verification.

- Install and maintain CCTV cameras at key locations for continuous surveillance.

- Ensure fire safety compliance with extinguishers, smoke detectors and emergency alarms.

- Provide first aid kits and train residents in emergency response.

- Display emergency contact numbers and evacuation routes clearly.

- Offer secure individual lockers and promote personal security awareness.

- Maintain updated resident records with verified personal and emergency details.

- Enforce strict staff protocols with regular audits and feedback sessions.

- Required documents for license application.

The coordination meeting emphasised the need for hostels to comply with safety regulations and improve living conditions for residents, ensuring Cyberabad remains a safe and well-managed urban hub. It was proposed to have a system of Establishment License for Hostels on par with other establishments as per city police rules.

It was proposed to have a portal where hostels could provide their details, which could be accessed by SCSC member companies and would help their employees to have knowledge about the facilities and other details.