Kozhikode, 02 Oct (H.S.):More than 50 women students at Government Medical College, Kozhikode, are struggling to find affordable accommodation as a newly constructed ladies’ hostel remains closed months after completion.

Students say the shortage forces them to pay high rents outside the campus or travel long distances daily to attend classes and clinical postings, placing financial and academic pressure on them.

Accommodation in the college hostel costs around Rs 12,000 annually, while private facilities charge more than Rs 6,000 a month. Students from families with limited incomes say they cannot afford these expenses, leaving some dependent on lengthy commutes from distant parts of the district.

First-year student Gayathri said she had joined the institution with high expectations but found the authorities’ apparent indifference deeply distressing.

Hiba Hashmi, a student of the 69th batch, said inadequate accommodation was affecting studies and access to academic opportunities. The uncertainty over campus accommodation even after completing first-year examinations was also causing considerable mental strain, students said.

According to students, the new hostel cannot open because essential furniture and equipment have not been purchased. They alleged that an estimate submitted on May 12 had failed to prompt further action.

Existing hostels also suffer from overcrowding and inadequate maintenance. Students complained that first-year residents were being asked to vacate rooms for seniors despite the absence of alternative arrangements. Postgraduate students face similar accommodation shortages.

With repeated complaints yielding no solution, students said they were preparing to launch an intensified protest demanding the immediate opening of the new building and renovation of older hostels.

The Hospital Development Committee said technical obstacles were being resolved and the remaining procedures would be completed to open the facility soon.

The crisis comes as the college, approaching seven decades of medical education, holds 20th place nationally and first in Kerala in the IIRF rankings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman