Sukhman Preet Kaur, a student of Xavier’s college living in a rented paying guest accommodation in Marine lines, said she faces safety issues if paying guest accommodations are located in isolated lanes, “ We have to compromise on space to live near the college. “

Every year Mumbai attracts lakhs of working women and female students coming to fulfill their dream of becoming independent and building successful careers. Mumbai has several hostels run by government, NGOs and private owners yet they find it difficult to secure suitable housing in Mumbai.

Sukhman Preet Kaur, a student of Xavier’s college living in a rented paying guest accommodation in Marine lines, said she faces safety issues if paying guest accommodations are located in isolated lanes, “ We have to compromise on space to live near the college. “

Vidhi Pode, a student of Kishinchand Chellaram College living in paying guest accommodation in Marine lines, said she went through difficult times adjusting with her roommates," Managing food and other expenses in a limited budget is a task.”

According to Magicbricks.com , Mumbai has 1483 hostels and paying guest accommodations for working women and female students listed on their website. Out of which only 149 are claimed to be verified. Sakhi Niwas BMC Women’s Hostel, a government hostel set up under Sakhi Niwas scheme, in Goregaon, has about 180 seats. Government hostels like Matoshree Government College Hostel, located in Churchgate, have 332 seats, and another, Savitribai Phule hostel, in Charni road has 450 seats. The latter has gone into redevelopment. These are facilities provided for students studying in 11 government colleges in Mumbai.