Ahmedabad’s L D Engineering College, Gujarat’s oldest and largest government-run engineering institute, is facing a major hostel accommodation crisis—particularly for girl students. Despite being one of the state’s most sought-after institutions for undergraduate and postgraduate engineering studies, the college has been unable to provide adequate housing facilities to its growing student population.
Acute Shortage for Girl Students
At present, more than 1,200 girls are enrolled in the undergraduate programme, with nearly half coming from outside Ahmedabad and in need of hostel accommodation. However, the college runs only one girls’ hostel with a capacity of just 150, leaving around 600 female students dependent on private paying guest (PG) facilities.
Each year, about 300 new girl students secure admission, further intensifying the demand. Parents often voice concerns about safety and security when their daughters are compelled to stay in private PGs. The financial strain is another challenge: while government college tuition remains nominal, families spend an additional ₹50,000–₹60,000 annually on private housing due to the lack of hostel facilities.
Boys’ Hostel Also Overburdened
The shortage is not limited to female students. The boys’ hostel accommodates 1,200 students, but with 4,000–5,000 students enrolled across UG and PG courses, hundreds of male students are also forced to seek accommodation outside the campus.
Pending Proposals for Expansion
Authorities at L D College have repeatedly submitted proposals seeking government approval for a new 500-room girls’ hostel and an expansion of boys’ facilities to house an additional 1,000 students. However, despite multiple representations, the plans remain pending.
Students and Parents Bear the Brunt
The hostel crunch has become a pressing issue at an institution that continues to attract talent from across Gujarat. Without timely expansion of facilities, both students and parents face ongoing financial burdens and safety concerns—a situation that threatens to undermine the reputation of one of the state’s premier engineering colleges.