21 hrs ago
Delhi University Hostel Projects Stall Despite Student Housing Shortage
Delhi University does not have enough hostel rooms for all its students.
Several new hostel projects were announced, but many have moved slowly or have not started.
One large hostel project near North Campus began construction in April 2026.
It was supposed to be finished by March 2025, and officials now expect it to take until at least 2028.
Another women’s hostel has funding, but very little of that money has been spent.
A separate women’s housing project is still waiting for government funds.
Projects in South Campus are also waiting for money, plans or approvals.
The university says many government agencies must approve the work, which causes delays.
Critics point to the shortage of safe and affordable housing, especially after a building collapse raised concerns about students living in unsafe accommodation.
At least six Delhi University student-housing projects announced during Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh’s tenure are stalled, delayed or still awaiting funds and approvals.
Construction on the 1,456-seat Dhaka Hostel cum Residential Block began in April 2026, although completion was originally scheduled for March 2025 and is now expected no earlier than 2028.
A proposed 1,050-seat girls’ hostel and studio apartment complex has received most of its approved funding, but only Rs 1.7 crore had been used by April 2026.
The 1,000-seat Nirbhaya Residential Accommodation project is awaiting funds from the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Delhi University has 7,210 existing postgraduate hostel seats, while more than 2.6 lakh students study across the university and its colleges.
- Who
- Delhi University, Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh, university officials and government agencies are involved; students are affected by the shortage of accommodation.
- What
- Several Delhi University hostel and residential projects have been delayed, stalled or left awaiting funding and approvals.
- Where
- The projects are located mainly at Delhi University’s Dhaka complex near North Campus and in South Campus, Delhi.
- When
- The projects were announced or approved between 2021 and 2026; the Dhaka construction project began in April 2026, after missing its March 2025 deadline.
- Why
- The university cites multiple regulatory clearances, revised plans and delayed funding as reasons for the slow progress.
University and Government Explanation
Student-Safety and Accountability Concerns
Reasons for delays
University and Government Explanation
Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh said projects require clearances from multiple regulatory and administrative authorities, including fire, environmental, civic and infrastructure agencies.
Student-Safety and Accountability Concerns
Project records and officials show that several schemes remain stalled, awaiting funds, approvals or planning decisions, while the university has had limited recorded Executive Council discussion of student housing.
Need for new accommodation
University and Government Explanation
Delhi University says ongoing and planned projects will more than double its hostel seats over four to five years, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced plans for hostels for 10,000 students across the capital.
Student-Safety and Accountability Concerns
The Delhi High Court said the university’s hostel supply was “absolutely inadequate” and that students were being pushed into potentially dangerous paying-guest accommodation.
Project progress
University and Government Explanation
University officials said work is moving forward on some projects, including the Dhaka complex, and expressed hope that more accommodation would be available by the next academic year.
Student-Safety and Accountability Concerns
The Dhaka project missed its original deadline, the Nirbhaya project awaits disbursal of funds, and South Campus projects have not received their planned funding or remain at the design stage.
Key facts
- Existing university-level seats
- 3,422 postgraduate hostel seats
- Existing college-level seats
- 3,788 hostel seats
- Student population
- More than 2.6 lakh students
- Dhaka hostel project
- 1,456 seats; estimated cost Rs 318 crore
- Dhaka project deadline
- Scheduled for March 2025; completion is now expected no earlier than 2028
- Nirbhaya accommodation
- 1,000 women’s beds in two 500-bed blocks
- Proposed total capacity
- 12,754 combined university- and college-level seats after planned additions
Quotes
Delhi University
Official statement from Delhi University
“Work on several new hostel projects is set to begin in the near future. The university has been working earnestly on hostel facilities over the past few years; as a result, the total number of hostel seats at DU is set to more than double within a span of 4-5 years.”
indianexpress.com
“Construction takes its own time because Delhi has various bodies from which clearances are needed. We are very hopeful that the projects will see fruition and we will be able to provide more residential accommodation to students by the next academic year.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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