HYDERABAD, Nov 29: The Sindh University authorities appear to be on the horns of a dilemma due to an acute shortage of residential accommodation for the girl students.

The university has only one girls hostel, Marui girls hostel, which has only 114 rooms and was constructed in 1965. In 1999 another block of 31 rooms was constructed.

In 1965 only 46 girl students were residing in the hostel but presently their number has jumped to more than 1,000.

As a result, four to five girl students are crowded into a hostel room meant for only two.

Due to pressure of the girl students, the university authorities have converted the TV and sports halls into living quarters which give the look of dormitories rather than hostel rooms.

A source in the university said that hundreds of girls had applied for hostel accommodation but their request had been placed on the waiting list.

Girl students from the four provinces, Northern Areas and foreign countries are residing in the Marui hostel.

Some months ago, federal minister and Higher Education Commission chairman Dr Attaur Rehman had visited the hostel and promised funds for the construction of another block but the funds have not been received as yet.

The university is reportedly running into a deficit of Rs140 million and has no money to construct another girls hostel.

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