‘Need More Hostels, Not a High-Rise Building in North Campus’

There is a student from every state in DU. There aren’t enough hostels to accommodate all of them who study here.

Students of DU’s North Campus joined a protest march organised by NSUI against the proposed construction of a residential building which they claim is being built on public land.

(Photo Courtesy: Raheel Khan/ The Quint)

Video Editor: Vishal Kumar

On 11 November, students of Delhi University’s North Campus joined a protest march organised by NSUI against the proposed construction of a residential building which they claim is being built on public land.

Students demanded that the construction of this building, said to be 39 storeys, should be stopped and hostels for students should be made on that land instead. Delhi University student Raja Choudhary said this would help students from marginalised sections as there aren't enough hostels to accommodate all students. Professors from the university too, have joined the ongoing protest.

“There is a student from every state in Delhi University. There aren’t enough hostels to accommodate all the students who study here. That is why we have been regularly demanding the university administration to use the land for a hostel.” 

Aakash Choudhary, Former DUSU Secretary

Manav, a student of DU and a participant of the protest told me that the building had allegedly been given to a private constructor by the DMRC. The land had been allocated to the DMRC earlier for the Vishwavidyalaya metro station.

Aakash Choudhary, former DUSU Secretary, said,

“Instead of constructing a hostel, this land which earlier belonged to Delhi University (Vishwavidyalaya) Metro Station has been given to a private builder. There’s an agreement signed to build a multi-storey building on the land.”

Students were of the view that private players can't enter an age-old university for commercial interests. A residential building also hampers the privacy of female students living in hostels and PGs nearby, they pointed out. They were firm on the protest and said that under no circumstance will they let the construction begin.

The protest is gaining ground and has a nod by the university administration as well.

“The administration is supporting us. Not just NSUI but parties across the board in Delhi University are united to take this forward.” 

Akshay Lakra, President, NSUI Delhi

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