The Hindu : New Delhi News : Metro fever grips campus

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Metro fever grips campus

The long line of rickshaws pulled up outside the Metro station at Delhi University says it all. North Campus students finally have a lifeline connecting them to the heart of the Capital. And though regular students will make use of the system in full strength only when the new academic year begins later this month, the campus is already abuzz with Metro enthusiasm.

It may not be accessible to all, but with U-specials fast disappearing from Delhi roads, the Metro will surely help students make it to college on time and in right shape. The biggest section of students likely to benefit from the opening of the Central Secretariat- Kashmere Gate section will be those hoping to do some extra work of study after college.

"I have joined a computer course and since my classes are near Central Delhi and my house in South Delhi, I had been very worried about managing the everyday routine. But with the Metro coming in, I can easily make it to Connaught Place in time and from there it will not be a problem at all," said an excited Rakesh, who has taken admission to a North Campus college.

But it's not just the hard working ones, but also those looking at life after college time who are celebrating the change. "North Campus may be the place that every student wants to be, but then it also has a flip side as we are far away from all the happening joints in the city. Kamla Nagar is great, but now we finally have the chance to go to other places too," said Salil, another student.

It was not only the topic of discussion everywhere on the campus this week, even college staff were seen taking a joyride on the Metro despite the huge admission rush.

And it clearly looks like a discussion that is likely to add colour to Delhi University's upcoming new session.

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From hunting for colleges, Delhi University aspirants are now down to finalising and finding the right abode. With the number of students looking for accommodation long outnumbering the number of hostel rooms available, it is the nearby areas of Mukherjee Nagar and Kingsway Camp that save the day for most.

But as most students discover, in most of these accommodations, quality living comes for a high price. For those with a small pocket, the option is usually to share a flat with as many as six or even more people. Although student outfits have been demanding that the University assess the outlets so students don't fall into wrong hands, students will probably have to wait till the University decides on increasing hostel facilities.

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Khaki may be a common colour on the campus during the admission period, but colleges clearly aren't too happy with the way it makes a disappearing act every time things go wrong.

This past Monday saw Shri Ram College of Commerce bear the brunt as angry students vandalised the Principal's office. According to the college authorities, the students came only to make a noise -- as they simply broke a few windowpanes before dashing off without even putting their demand before the Principal.

And while the students escaped, the college officials had a mouthful to say about the working of the police. "The police station is right here but they don't send any policemen here. We have some CRPF people who were sitting right near the entrance, but the minute violence started here they ran outside. What is the point of their being here if they don't act when things go wrong? All they do is sit around and have tea,'' is what an SRCC official had to say.

Lakshmi B. Ghosh

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