Reopening hope brews for Panjab University’s South India Coffee House

Panjab University is planning to reauction the campus-favourite South India Coffee House that has been lying closed for three years amid the pandemic

Over three years after South India Coffee House at Panjab University’s Student Centre was closed in 2019 owing to low footfall, the campus-favourite cafe is set to be reauctioned in an attempt to reopen its doors.

Opened in 1975, the South India Coffee House at Panjab University’s Student Centre was closed in 2019 owing to low footfall and subsequent losses. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

A senior university official said the decision to reauction South India Coffee House was taken at a recent meeting. Popular for its south Indian cuisine, the cafe had for over four decades served as a prominent space for students and academicians to eat and socialise before it closed its doors in 2019.

Opened in 1975, the coffee house had announced its closure in June 2019 due to a decrease in footfall and consequent losses.

After its closure, an attempt was made to revitalise the eatery in 2020. It was auctioned for ₹1,03,000 per month, but the plan did not kick off amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The PU administration had also asked the University Institute of Hotel and Tourism management (UIHTM) to run a cafeteria or bakery in the space, but they had declined the offer. Consequently, the eatery has been lying closed for over three years.

Apart from being an ideal socialising hub for students and academicians, the place was also alumni’s go-to spot for get-togethers to reminisce the old days of their campus life from their favourite window seats.

Rajat Sandhir, a professor at the varsity’s biochemistry department, who was among the frequent visitors of the coffee house, said, “It was the only place on the campus where the faculty members could sit together for tea or snacks. I know many former students would prefer eating there than any fancy restaurant outside, simply because of nostalgia, especially if it’s reopened with the original concept.”

The eatery was also among the most-preferred haunts during campus elections. Chetan Chaudhary, former president of the Panjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC), said, “The emotions of former students are attached with this iconic place. During election time, the coffee house was a preferred place for student bodies to hold discussions, meetings and interactions. The university should make efforts to reopen it soon.”