Finding accommodation has been a recurring problem for Delhi University (DU) students, especially those not from Delhi. Though a majority of outstation students come from states like Haryana, Punjab, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, a significant number are also from the southern states and some from foreign nations.
As of Friday, DU officials said close to 3 lakh applications had been received by the university, out of which around 2 lakh were from outstation students.
Despite the increasing demand for safe accommodation, only 18 colleges in the university provide on- campus housing for undergraduate students, and there are two hostels run by the university.
Since DU is home to a large number of all-girls’ colleges, there are nearly 3,283 hostel seats available for girls, with only 1,067 seats for male students.
“Hostel seats are allotted on the basis of merit, that is, Class 12 marks. We do not open hostel admissions for Delhi-NCR students,” said Anita Vishen, warden of Hindu College Girls’ Hostel.
Students who are currently residing in hostels said they get spacious rooms and a safe and secure environment. Wi-Fi facility is available at 17 college hostels and one university-run hostel.
“Living with friends is a great experience if you want to make the most of college life and hostel is the most convenient option… The only drawback is that it gets quite hot since there in no AC or cooler. So for students accustomed to ACs, the heat may be a bit troubling,” says Akashneel Sarma, a second-year student from Guwahati staying at a hostel in St Stephen’s College.
{{/usCountry}}“Living with friends is a great experience if you want to make the most of college life and hostel is the most convenient option… The only drawback is that it gets quite hot since there in no AC or cooler. So for students accustomed to ACs, the heat may be a bit troubling,” says Akashneel Sarma, a second-year student from Guwahati staying at a hostel in St Stephen’s College.
{{/usCountry}}“Do not expect a lavish lifestyle — I have learnt to live without an AC, heater or even a refrigerator,” says Utkarsh Lal, a Lucknow resident and a first year Zoology student at Hindu College who stays at the college hostel.
A number of current applicants and parents voiced concerns regarding finding comfortable accommodations at reasonable rates. Considering the limited number of hostel seats, alternative housing, costing between ₹7,000 to ₹25,000, may be the only option for many.
“When I first came here from Nepal, it was quite taxing to look for a place that I could imagine myself living in for the next three years… PG timings are more flexible compared to hostels. But there are a few cons. PGs in south Delhi are quite expensive and the food here is not worth it,” says Tanvi Mohta, a second year student of LSR who stays at a PG in GK-I.