Struggle for students coming from other States to get admission in the Delhi University does not end with securing a seat in a college of their choice. Finding a suitable accommodation in the Capital within their budget is another uphill task for them.
With prices of basic amenities soaring, the cost of Paying Guest (PG) accommodations and hostels, have also witnessed a significant rise this year. If one is looking for an accommodation in South Delhi area near their college, they may have to shell out Rs 25,000 per month, while the lodging near North Campus is comparatively low. It starts at Rs 6,000 and goes up to Rs 18,000 per month, depending upon the location and facilities available.
A neat and clean WiFi-enabled place with Air-conditioner (AC), cable connection with lED TV, laundry service, round-the-clock water supply and power back-up at Bungalow Road, may cost Rs 15,000 per month. It also includes four meals —breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner. The PG also has 24X7 security guard and cleaning services. Though the minimum rent of a non-AC PG in the area is Rs 8,000, one may not get free internet or other facilities like 24 hours of power and water supply.
Security deposit is another factor which may pinch a student harder as a PG asks for two months’ security deposit in North and of 12 months’ in South Delhi. Female students do not find it difficult to locate suitable accommodation usually, but boys face troubles because PG owners mostly prefer girl students. Numbers of boys’ hostels are less in comparison to the demand, however, they are available at lower rates than girls’ hostel. On an average, a male student gets Rs 1,000 - Rs 1,500 reduction.
“We keep only girls in our PG because handling boys can be troublesome; we make sure of their security, and also that they get proper facilities and feel at home,” said the owner of one such facility — Simran Niwas at Jawahar Nagar.
Because of their proximity to North Campus, Bungalow Road and Jawahar Nagar are obvious choices for many thus, making these localities costliest among all. PGs and hostels with all these facilities are available at much lower cost in Vijay Nagar, raging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000.
Places located a little away from the main campus, such as Roop Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar and Kingsway Camp also offer PGs for boys and girls at lower rates.
In South Campus, Satya Niketan, Anand Niketan, Munirka and Nanak Pura provide cheaper PGs or hostels, but accommodation in Greater Kailash, East of Kailash, lajpat Nagar are costlier. An average accommodation near South Campus is available between Rs 4,500-Rs 9,000, which also includes all meals, electricity and cleaning charges.
“Rooms near South Campus are available at low price also, but meals are not provided there. These PGs are good for boys. They can arrange food from ‘dabbawallas’, they usually charge Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500 a month. There are several restaurants and dhabhas which may also supply food,” Arun Gupta, owner of a PG in Satya
Niketan Market.