Metro a boon for off-campus colleges

Connectivity and transportation are a one of the deciding factors when DU aspirants apply to colleges of their choice, reports Karan Choudhury.

Connectivity and transportation are a one of the deciding factors when Delhi University (DU) aspirants apply to colleges of their choice. Good colleges in far-flung areas of the city, which now are connected with the Metro rail, have seen a rise in the number of applications and admissions in the last few years.

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There has always been a preference for colleges, which are connected with multiple mode of affordable transport. So students always try to get admissions in colleges in North or South Campus that are well connected.

Earlier, colleges in areas like Ashok Vihar, Shahadra, Patel Nagar and other such places were always way down on the list of choices. But now the trend seems to have changed. Dr KP Bhatt, principal of Satyawati College (morning), said, “There has been a rise in the number of students getting admission in our college after Metro was introduced in our area. It has made the lives easier for both students and our staff. Earlier, despite being at par with other colleges, students preferred other colleges because of bad connectivity.”

The ridership on all those lines that come close to colleges have been rising every year. Anuj Dayal, chief public relations officer for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, said, “The Metro touches quite a number of DU colleges and we have registered a rise in the ridership at all these points. It is the highest in the month of June.”

The Metro’s reputation of being a safe mode of transport for women has also come in handy for these colleges. Dr Vijay Laxmi Pandit, principal of Rajdhani College, said, “After the Metro line came close to our college, we have seen a rise in the number of female students getting admissions here. Parents also feel safe sending them in Metro.”

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