For DU freshers, finding lodging a herculean task

New Delhi: Most students who managed to secure admission in their desired colleges in Delhi University are now scrambling outside to secure accommodation, owing to a severe shortage of seats in the varsity's hostels.

With only 4,300 seats – 3,283 for female students and 1,067 for male students – available in the 19 on-campus hostels across the University, thousands of outstation students have no choice but to look for private lodgings.

"Despite, the University witnessing student protests demanding more hostels every year, and the issue being one of the main agendas in student union elections, nothing concrete has been done from the administration's end as of yet," said a second year student.

Paying guest (PG) accommodations have pounced on this opportunity, and are wooing students with a host of modern facilities and comfortable living.

Now, it is a problem of plenty for some students.

However, the rent at most PG accommodations are sky-high, in areas like Vijay Nagar, Hudson Lane, Bungalow Road and Kamla Nagar.

The rates vary from anywhere between Rs 10,000 to 25,000, leaving students worried about their budget.

"If dealing with sky-rocketing cut-offs was not enough, we are now forced to run here and there looking for a suitable accommodation. It has been 15 days since admissions began, but I have not been able to zero in on a place to stay," said Ena Verma, a fresher.

Rashmi Bhalla, soon to join Sri Venketeshwara College, said, "Even in colleges that offer hostel facilities, accommodations are provided based on merit. So, the competition does not end with securing a seat in a good college."

Another student Ishani Banerjee added that for girls, security is a major concern while choosing a lodging. "Despite having an excellent score, one of my friends decided to take admission in a college with lower cut-off, so that she can easily secure a hostel seat," she further said.

With advertisements and posters spread all over North Campus, students find it difficult to finalise PG accommodation that meets all their requirements and is affordable.

"I have looked at almost 15 PGs, but I am still not happy," said a fresher student.