Students are protesting against a proposal to relocate a student hostel operated by Nagpur’s social justice and special assistance department. The hostel, currently situated in Dabha, may be moved to Chinchbhavan on Wardha Road, much to the discontent of the students. Their primary concern is that the new accommodation would be far away from their colleges, situated on the opposite end of the city.
Around 250 students reside in the hostels in Dabha and Dighori, both rented by the social justice department. Students have complained about water accumulation during the monsoon season, which floods the dining area on the ground floor. In response to these issues, the department decided to shift both hostels to Chinchbhavan. However, the students argue that the proposed location lacks security and is relatively isolated.
Many students pursuing various courses have colleges in the Katol Naka area, and they argue that travelling to the hostel at the other end of the city would be highly inconvenient. They have demanded that the hostel be provided in the same area or somewhere nearby. Additionally, students claim that similar relocation attempts are being made for other hostels in Dighori and Bahadura to Chinchbhavan on Wardha Road. They suggest that the social welfare department should utilize a large structure in Dighori itself.
Sukeshni Telgote, the assistant commissioner of the social welfare department, responded by clarifying that the hostel in Dabha’s Unit No. 4 at Katol Naka faces issues during the monsoon season, prompting the need for relocation. She stated that finding a suitable building to accommodate 250 students within the city was challenging. Telgote further explained that the new facility in Chinchbhavan was chosen to ensure students would not face inconvenience during rainy periods. She also mentioned that hostel accommodations were being developed in Chinchbhavan, Satranjipura, and Hingna T-Point based on the locations of colleges, and this information has been communicated to the students.