Social Welfare Department’s Hostel Reopens After 3 Years, Bringing Relief to Pune’s Needy Students

Pune, 25th June 2025: After a prolonged delay of nearly three years, the Social Welfare Department’s hostel near Vishrantwadi in Pune has finally reopened, offering safe and affordable accommodation to hundreds of students from economically weaker and backward communities.

The five-storey hostel building, constructed in 2021 with a capacity of 500 students, remained non-operational due to technical hurdles and lack of coordination among the Social Welfare Department, the Public Works Department, and the Pune Municipal Corporation. The absence of an Occupancy Certificate (OC) from the civic body further delayed the opening.

Following media coverage and mounting pressure from student rights groups, the hostel is now fully functional, with separate facilities for 250 boys and 250 girls. Students admitted to the hostel will receive not just accommodation, but also free meals, access to a library, internet, stationery, bedding, an auditorium, and monthly stipends.

Voices from th e Ground
“I’ve been studying in Pune for two years and it was a struggle to find affordable and safe accommodation,” said Suraj More, a student now staying at the hostel. “This hostel is a huge relief. I can finally focus on my studies without worrying about rent and food.”

Another student, Pradeep Ghule, whose parents are daily wage workers, echoed the sentiment. “Paying Rs 10,000 to 12,000 for rent was simply impossible. With this hostel open now, we’ve been given a lifeline. We can study in peace.”

Currently, around 110 students have moved in. The full capacity of 500 will be reached in the 2025-26 academic year, according to Vishal Londhe, Assistant Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department.

Support from Student Groups
Rajratna Balkhande, head of the Vishwaratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Student Rights Committee, welcomed the move but emphasized the need for timely project execution in the future. “Students should never suffer due to administrative lapses. The authorities must ensure that such critical facilities are not delayed again.”

Facilities Offered at the Hostel:
Free accommodation and food
Spacious library and internet access
Monthly stipend of ₹800 for living expenses
₹100 hygiene and toiletries allowance
Study materials, beds, and blankets
Auditorium and sports ground
With this development, many aspiring students from marginalized backgrounds can now continue their education in Pune without the burden of high living costs—making education more accessible and inclusive.