HYDERABAD, OCT 7 :The Central government has given its approval for the construction of two hostels at Osmania University here, with an allocated budget of nearly Rs 30 crore.

The project has received approval under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY), an official statement said on Saturday.

An initial amount of Rs 7.5 crore has been released by the Union Government to initiate the construction of two hostels, each designed to accommodate 250 students. One hostel will be dedicated to girls, and another to boys.

The construction of these hostels, which will be funded entirely by the Government of India, is estimated to cost Rs. 14.60 crores each.

Earlier this year, during his visit to Osmania University, Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy, expressed shock at the deplorable condition of the existing hostels.

He reached out to Union Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar, seeking support for the construction of new hostel buildings.

In his letter to Kumar on May 5, 2023, Reddy highlighted the poor maintenance and lack of basic facilities in the Scheduled Caste (SC) hostels at Osmania University, hindering students’ educational activities.

He requested for the construction of two hostels—one for males and one for females, with a total capacity of 500 students (250 students each).

Virendra Kumar, responded positively to the request and agreed to release the necessary funds.

On this occasion, Kishan Reddy expressed his gratitude to the Union Minister of Social Justice and ensure that these two new hostels to SC students, studying at Osmania University, be made available as soon as possible.