Guwahati: Outstation students studying in the city are finding it increasingly difficult to secure affordable and safe accommodation, as hostel seats remain limited and private room rents continue to rise across Guwahati. With college enrolments increasing every year, students say the gap between demand and available housing has widened sharply.
Several colleges in Guwahati continue to operate with inadequate hostel capacity, leaving many students with little option but to depend on private paying guest (PG) facilities or rented rooms in nearby localities. Students allege that rents have steadily increased over the past few years, while basic amenities and safety assurances often remain inconsistent.
Outstation students in Guwahati are facing an accommodation crunch as hostel seats remain limited and private room rents rise across the city. With colleges enrolling more students each year, many are forced to depend on PGs and rented rooms, where costs are increasing, and availability remains uncertain.
Hostels Not Keeping Pace with Student Numbers
Students point out that hostel infrastructure in many Guwahati colleges has not expanded in proportion to rising admissions. As a result, securing a hostel seat has become highly competitive, especially for first-year and outstation students.
A student from Handique Girls’ College said the shortage has become a serious concern. “Our college has only one hostel, and it is clearly not enough. With the institution moving towards becoming a university, student numbers will increase, but hostel facilities are not being expanded,” she said.
Rising Dependence on Private Accommodation
Students who do not get hostel seats are often left with no choice but to search for rooms or PGs in areas surrounding college hubs. Popular student localities such as Paltan Bazaar, Chandmari, Zoo Road, Ulubari, and Bhangagarh have seen a steady rise in rents, according to students.
Many students say single rooms that were once affordable now come at significantly higher monthly costs, often excluding electricity, water, and maintenance charges. For those from smaller towns and rural areas of Assam and the Northeast, these expenses place an added financial burden on families.
Safety, Curfews, and Daily Challenges
Apart from cost, students, particularly women, also raise concerns about safety and strict curfews imposed by some private PGs and hostels. While curfews are often justified in the name of security, students argue that they limit academic flexibility, especially for those attending evening classes, libraries, or coaching centres.
Several students also report frequent movement between accommodations due to sudden rent hikes or eviction notices at the end of academic sessions.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati serves as the primary education hub for Assam and the Northeast, attracting students from multiple districts and neighbouring states. Persistent accommodation shortages risk affecting access to education, particularly for students from economically weaker backgrounds.
Students say that unless housing and hostel infrastructure are planned alongside academic expansion, the problem is likely to intensify in the coming years.
What Students Are Asking For
Students have urged authorities and college administrations to consider:
- Expansion of on-campus hostel facilities
- Affordable student housing policies near college zones
- Regulation and monitoring of private PG accommodations
They say addressing accommodation is as important as improving academic infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are students facing an accommodation crisis in Guwahati?
Limited hostel seats, rising enrolments, and increasing rents in private accommodations have made housing difficult for outstation students.
Which students are most affected by the shortage?
Outstation students, especially first-year students and women, are most affected due to limited hostel availability and safety concerns.
Which areas in Guwahati are common for student housing?
Localities like Paltan Bazaar, Chandmari, Zoo Road, Ulubari, and Bhangagarh are commonly preferred by students.
What solutions are students demanding?
Students are asking for expanded hostel facilities, affordable housing planning, and better regulation of private PG accommodations.
