Space crunch for freshers

With limited number of seats available, costs of PG accommodation have doubled this year

With the announcement of Delhi University's (DU) second cut-off list on June 21, the list for hostel accommodation in various colleges is also out. Colleges in the North Campus have a limited number of seats available in their hostels for freshers.


For the fairer sex: The Delhi University's new hostel complex for
female students with a capacity of 1000-1500 is located about 2km
away from the North Campus and is still under construction.
Pic/Subhash Barolia

However, the prices of paying guest (PG) accommodation for students around North Campus have almost doubled compared to last year because of the increase in costs of electricity, laundry, Wi-Fi etc. Hostel rates have also shot up due to renovation of most hostels during the Commonwealth Games.

Interview for intake
In colleges like Miranda House, Ramjas College, Indraprastha College for Women and Hansraj College, merit-cum-interview is the criteria for selection for admission to hostels. With high cut-offs and increased demand for seats this year, aspirants are compelled to take up PG accommodations.

The private hostels in areas like Vijay Nagar, Hudson Lanes, Outram Lanes, Bungalow Road and Kamla Nagar used to charge between Rs 4000-5000 per seat last year. This year, the same accommodation will cost you anywhere between Rs 8000 to Rs 9000.

Rajendra Nagpal, who owns a number of private hostels for boys and girls in Outram Lanes says: "We have to increase the charges due to rising inflation. Also, it is a straight demand and supply equation. The rush of students has increased this year, with more demand and limited supply, so prices will go up. But we look for security of girls and offer students decent facilities, which are worth the money."u00a0

Also, the new hostel complex for female students with a capacity of 1000-1500 students is located about 2km away from the North Campus in the Dhakka area near Mukherjee Nagar and is still under construction. According to officials, the hostel was to be made functional for this academic session so that rooms could be allotted to students by July. But the complex is nowhere near completion and will be ready only by October.
"The hostel complex is still under construction. A lot of things have to be done there before it is ready for students to move in. Had it not been delayed, it would have been a huge help for new students. We have advised aspirants to move to PGs in good localities as that is the only valid option," said N Santakrus Singh, deputy dean, students' welfare.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

Online help for outstation students
DU Jugaad (https://www.dujugaad.com/), a portal run by a bunch of DU students that lends a helping hand to freshers, might come as a relief for many outstation candidates. The website has tie-ups with a number of good private hostels there are also discount offers. "We have helped about a hundred students since the admission process started in locating good private accommodations if they haven't managed to secure a seat in the college hostels. We help outstation students get discounts on facilities offered by PGs. Parents of new candidates feel secure about private hostels suggested by us," said Smiti Rastogi, supervisor of the website.

Hike hour
Students, who want to avail of hostel facilities at Delhi University will have to spend more money this year as most colleges have decided to hike the hostel fees. While some colleges like Miranda House and St Stephen's College have already hiked the rates, Ramjas College, Shri Ram College of Commerce and Kirori Mal College are planning to increase rates from the current academic year. Apart from living costs, there is an increase in the security deposit too. According to college authorities, hostel fees have been hiked because most college hostels have undergone renovation and are now equipped with better facilities.