Chhindwara's Medical College MBBS students flag hostel accommodation crisis
Chhindwara: Nearly 60 newly admitted MBBS students of the 2026-27 batch at the Chhindwara Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) have complained about overcrowded hostel facilities, limited washrooms, and unhygienic living conditions, prompting them to approach the college authorities and demand adequate accommodation and better living conditions.
Submitting a representation to the Dean of the Government Medical College, Chhindwara, the students alleged that 46 female students have been accommodated in just five halls, while 13 male students are sharing two halls. They claimed that the hostel arrangements have become similar to those of a common lodging facility, leaving students with inadequate space and privacy.
The students also pointed out that one female student has been asked to arrange accommodation outside the college campus, which, according to the students, is a serious concern from the perspective of her safety and regular participation in academic activities.
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"The MBBS course requires intensive studies, regular self-study, and a conducive academic environment. However, under the present circumstances, students are unable to access adequate space and a peaceful environment for studying. Excessive overcrowding is adversely affecting their concentration, daily studies, and academic performance," the students said in the representation.
Furthermore, the students also highlighted that the limited number of available bathrooms and toilets has placed an excessive burden on these facilities, causing students serious difficulties in attending to their daily needs.
They said that many students have to stand in queues outside the toilets and bathrooms from as early as 5 AM to complete their morning routines.
"This situation is not only inconvenient but is also adversely affecting students' health, hygiene, mental well-being and time management. It is the responsibility of every medical educational institution to provide students with a safe, clean and study-friendly environment so that their academic activities can continue without interruption. Under the current arrangements, the students' requirements concerning privacy, dignity, health and studies are not being adequately met," the students said.
The students have demanded that the college authorities provide adequate hostel rooms with immediate effect, keeping the interests of students and academics in mind, ensure accommodation for a maximum of two students per room (double-sharing accommodation), and provide safe and suitable accommodation within the college premises to all students, including the female student who has been compelled to stay outside the campus.
Extending support to the students, the Junior Doctor Association (JDA), CIMS, Chhindwara, has also written to the Dean and other authorities on the matter and sought long-term solutions.
In its letter dated October 31, 2026, the JDA suggested reassessing all available hostel rooms to ensure a maximum double-occupancy (double-sharing) arrangement, identifying and immediately allotting additional rooms according to the number of female and male students, and providing safe accommodation within the institute premises to students who have been forced to stay outside the campus.
As a temporary solution, the JDA proposed using a suitable hostel or government training facility located in Chhindwara city to accommodate students if sufficient rooms are unavailable on campus, providing necessary transportation facilities or other suitable arrangements for students travelling to and from such hostels, and continuing this arrangement until the construction of the institute's new hostel is completed or additional residential capacity is developed.
If suitable government accommodation is unavailable, the association suggested temporarily renting a recognised private hostel or paying guest (PG) accommodation in coordination with the college or district administration, making institutional arrangements to ensure the safety, transportation and supervision of female students, and ensuring that students do not face any additional financial burden, with the possibility of the necessary expenses being borne by the government or the institute also being considered.
For a long-term solution, the association called for completing the proposed construction of a new hostel on the college campus at the earliest on a priority basis, developing adequate hostel infrastructure for the future in view of the increased admission capacity, and increasing the number of toilets, bathrooms and other basic facilities in the hostels in accordance with the actual number of students.
Commenting on this, JDA President Dr Sajith S.L told Medical Dialogues, "The hostel accommodation crisis faced by the MBBS 2026-27 batch at C.I.M.S Chhindwara is a serious issue affecting students’ study environment, privacy, health, and safety. Despite bringing the matter to the notice of the Dean and requesting immediate intervention, we were informed that students may have to continue under the existing arrangement for atleast 3 years and that no immediate solution is currently available. The Junior Doctor Association (JDA) believes that medical students deserve safe, dignified, and study-friendly accommodation. We have therefore urged the administration and higher authorities to explore all possible alternative arrangements and take urgent steps towards a permanent solution. JDA C.I.M.S stands with the students and will continue to pursue the matter in the interest of student welfare and quality medical education."
