Unbearable Heat, Unlivable Hostel:Lady Hardinge Medical College MBBS students Demand Urgent Action
New Delhi: The medical students of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), New Delhi, are suffering from unbearable heat as temperatures soar in the capital above 45°C. It has been reported that despite repeated complaints and appeals, there has been no solution till now.
Students have been complaining for the past few years that they are not allowed to use air conditioners in hostels, nor are they permitted to install their own, due to outdated wiring systems in the century-old hostel buildings. On top of this, private accommodation is not as affordable for many medicos
According to media reports, temperatures last year reportedly reached a shocking 52°C, which nearly made it impossible for students to cope. The extreme heat had not only affected their health last year but also academically.
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Aditya Sharma, a youth activist and health promoter, raised the issue through a formal letter in March 2025. In the letter addressed to the LHMC authorities, Sharma urged for urgent steps to improve living conditions in the hostels. He pointed out that both students and the administration were helpless last year to address the issue.
He also highlighted that the new hostel building is still under construction and could take another 3–5 years to complete, leaving students helpless this year as well. "With summer fast approaching and the completion of the new building still projected to take another 3 to 5 years, I urge you to take immediate and effective measures to alleviate the suffering of students. Considering the importance of their well-being, I kindly request that the administration take appropriate action to address this issue at the earliest," the letter reads.
"After receiving numerous complaints from students, I personally spoke to the Students' Union President, who informed me that the primary challenge lies in the outdated wiring system of the 100-year-old building. Due to this, air conditioners are not available in hostel rooms, and private accommodations with AC are also not permitted as the wiring infrastructure cannot support high-voltage appliances.
Additionally, many students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) backgrounds cannot afford private accommodations outside the campus, as Rajiv Chowk is an area with high rental costs. These students are left with no viable alternative, making it imperative that immediate steps are taken to improve the living conditions within the hostel premises," he further said in his letter.
He urged the authorities to take the matter seriously and come up with a solution this year so that the future doctors and lifesavers of our nation - these students could live and study in a conducive environment.
