Pune: The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has shut down its hostel facilities for the last 10 months since the lockdown began, however, 525 students who have completed their education have yet not vacated their hostel rooms despite several notices being issued in this regard.

The SPPU administration is gearing up to open the hostel facilities for new students who are taking fresh admissions to various courses. The administration is facing challenges as they are unable to do the planning and allocation of hostel rooms to new students as the old students who have completed their term are yet to vacate the premises. The Pune University has now issued a notice to such students for the fourth time.

This year more than 25 thousand students had applied for admission for various courses of Pune University. The admission process of these students has been completed and their admissions have been secured.

The physical classes have not yet resumed. Although the Pune University was willing to resume these classes from January 11, the state government has not given its approval for the same. Now the state government is also likely to take favourable decisions regarding the physical classes in colleges and universities. Hence the SPPU administration is making arrangements for the hostel rooms.

SPPU Chief Rector Sachin Ballal told mediapersons, "We have issued notices to students who have completed their education and are expected to vacate the hostel rooms. Some students have not yet vacated the hostel rooms and they have been given time till January 27. Those students who do not vacate their rooms within stipulated time, a panchanama (record of observations and witness) will be conducted in their rooms and the belongings will be stored elsewhere."

Number of final year students staying in hostel - 1496

Number of students who have vacated rooms - 970

Number of students yet to vacate rooms - 525

Vacant rooms - 373