Mumbai University hostel for international students unused even after two years of inauguration

It is alleged that the parking facility is being used to park private vehicles. (Express Photo)

Former member of Mumbai University Senate Pradeep Sawant from Yuva Sena, youth wing of Shiv Sena (UBT), who visited the hostel on Monday, said, “There is no work taking place in this building to make it ready for students. To our shock, workers of the contractor of the building were seen staying in the empty structure and the parking facility is being used to park private vehicles. We also saw an autorickshaw parked in the building, indicating that there are absolutely no security measures here.”

While Yuva Sena has taken up the issue with the administration of the Mumbai University, students have complained that it is unfair to keep a ready building unused and burden other hostels.

“The Mumbai University hostel in Churchgate is currently accommodating international students, even as a dedicated facility is ready for them. If the university starts using the new building, it will not only be a dedicated facility for international students, it can also accommodate additional students who are Indian, maximizing the use of available space,” said one of the students.

When contacted and asked about the delay in opening the international students’ hostel, the Mumbai University administration in a written reply said, “Work is going on at the varsity level to start the said hostel. Tendering process for furniture is completed and work order is issued to the selected contractor. As furniture work is underway, the hostel will be made available for stay as soon as it is over.”