Off-campus and off the radar

Since long, outstation students in off-campus colleges in east and west Delhi have suffered due to the lack of proper accommodation.

Since long, outstation students in off-campus colleges in east and west Delhi have suffered due to the lack of proper accommodation.

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Of the six colleges in west Delhi and five in east, only two provide hostel facility. Unfortunately, they are not on an equal footing with North and South Campuses as far as PG and hostel accommodations are concerned.

Of the east Delhi colleges, only Maharaja Agrasen College in Vasundhra Enclave has hostel facility. The 50-seat hostel is only for girls. It was added this year and will be operational from the upcoming academic session.

“There will be separate coolers, beds, reading tables and chairs for students as well as an ATM in the campus. The wellness centre-cum-gym and swimming pool will also be operational from this year,” said Dr Neeraj Kumar Singh, convener of the college infrastructure committee and associate professor, department of history. The boys’ hostel will become operational only next year.

In Vivekanand College, situated in Vivek Vihar, unused flats constructed for teachers have been converted into a temporary space for girls. There are 24 seats. Facilities like inverter, fridge and lockers have been provided.

Keshav Mahavidyalaya in Pitampura is also coming up with a hostel for girls this year which will house 80 students. “Students used to face difficulties in commuting. In the last couple of years, we are getting more outstation students,” said Madhu Pruthi, principal, Keshav Mahavidyalaya.

However, students who fail to make it to the hostels can look for options in Janakpuri and Laxmi Nagar. Though the options are not as many as, say in Satya Niketan or near North Campus, one can manage a decent accommodation at a fair price.