KATHMANDU: Living in Kathmandu, a dream for villagers, has become increasingly challenging as the city grapples with a surge in students seeking education and opportunities.

Kathmandu, historically vital for personal development, faces strains on its services related to education, health, employment, and foreign travel.

The city’s significance, exemplified by figures like Bhanu Bhakta Acharya and Kabi Shiromani Lekhnath Paudyal, draws individuals from villages and abroad in pursuit of opportunities.

However, this dynamic has evolved in today’s open world, leading to a fragmented order.

While Kathmandu has been a hub for personal growth, the influx of people, particularly students, has created challenges.

Basic necessities like food and accommodation pose immediate issues for newcomers.

To address this, hostels have sprouted across the Kathmandu Valley, offering not just lodging but also essential services and social security.

Hostels have been a lifeline for students from outside Kathmandu, aspiring international travelers, and solo workers.

However, the once-booming hostel industry in Kathmandu is now facing closures.

Hostels attract students from across the country, not just teenagers from outside Kathmandu, as parents prefer the secure and structured environment they provide.

The decline is attributed to a reduction in long-term student stays as more pursue education in their own villages or headquarters.

Hostels, which were crucial for those arranging language and consultancy documents for foreign travel, are feeling the impact.

The increasing trend of the younger generation seeking education and opportunities abroad has led to a daily exodus of over 1,500 individuals, creating a bustling scenario at Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

This departure trend has not spared even those who have completed their Plus Two education more than ten times over, affecting various aspects of daily life in Nepal.

As students migrate in large numbers, businessmen in Kathmandu voice complaints about the waning popularity of the hostel business.

The shift in demand for such accommodations underscores the evolving dynamics of education, employment, and migration in the region.

Initially, the nationwide lockdown, prompted by the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic, dealt a severe blow to the hostel business.

Presently, entrepreneurs in the field are grappling with survival challenges arising from a steep rise in food costs, escalating house rents, and water shortages.

This year has witnessed a 50% decrease in hostel occupancy compared to the previous year, as reported by Arun Parajuli, the President of the Nepal Hostel Association.

Parajuli attributes this decline to a mismatch between the number of college enrollments and the available student population, stating that hostels are proliferating without aligning with demand, posing a significant complication for the industry.

Parajuli emphasizes that the escalating costs pose an additional hurdle.

The challenge lies in reconciling the evolving dynamics of the hostel industry with the shifting demands and expectations of the student population.

Hostels attract students from across the country, not just teenagers from outside Kathmandu, as parents prefer the secure and structured environment they provide.

Regarding accommodation arrangements, Parajuli mentions that rooms, depending on their size, accommodate 3 to 4 individuals, with even single rooms available for those who desire more privacy.

Accommodation packages, covering both food and lodging, range from 11,000 to 14,000, with provisions for medical emergencies and security through appointed wardens.

Hostels in Kathmandu, especially for girls and women, prioritize safety and take precautions against external influences, including misbehavior and drug addiction.

Hostel facilities extend beyond mere lodging, incorporating services such as catering, entertainment, and WiFi, with a focus on monitoring outdoor activities and dietary habits.

Parajuli asserts that the commitment to providing maximum services aims to preempt any complaints, and the academic environment remains a focal point, fostering increased confidence among students.

In the densely populated city of Kathmandu, single-person hostels catering to students have proven highly effective.

Krishna Tiwari, another hostel owner, laments the recent closure of numerous hostels.

Commenting on the living conditions, she mentions, “We share a room, and the hostel provides a comfortable environment for returning home during holidays.”

Despite reduced fees, he expresses dissatisfaction that, even though hostels have become a convenient option for those working and residing in the city, student numbers remain low.

The challenge lies in reconciling the evolving dynamics of the hostel industry with the shifting demands and expectations of the student population.

Sapana Rayamajhi, residing at a girl’s hostel in New Baneshwar, finds solace in the simplicity and security that the hostel life in Kathmandu offers.

Despite the ease and safety, she notes a decline in the number of friends from her initial days in the hostel.

Expressing her satisfaction, Sapana states, “I stay in this hostel during mornings and evenings, and work in the afternoons. The hostel is not just about food and accommodation; it provides social security. Additionally, the time saved from cooking and cleaning can be invested in personal development.”

She continues, “While the food and stay in the hostel are generally good, the challenge arises during the winter due to the lack of hot water. Despite the cold weather, we have to manage with cold water.”

Karisma Rokka, another hostel resident, shares her perspective on the practicality of hostel living.

Commuting from Lelang to Tribhuvan University requires two buses, leading her to opt for hostel living to save time.

She emphasizes the importance of staying in the hostel, especially when study hours extend beyond her commuting time.

Before the 2015 earthquake, approximately 240 students could be accommodated, but the hostel’s capacity has now reduced to 150 students due to structural damage.

Karisma reveals, “I pay 9 thousand per month, and for the money, I find the service facilities satisfactory. The food is healthy, but there are water-related challenges. Well water is accessible only two days a week, posing difficulties in basic tasks like bathing and washing clothes.”

Commenting on the living conditions, she mentions, “We share a room, and the hostel provides a comfortable environment for returning home during holidays.”

On the other side, landlords renting houses to hostels face their own set of challenges.

Mahendranath Rai, renting out his three-storey house in Anamnagar, contemplates vacating the property due to water supply issues.

He highlights the difficulty in providing regular water supply, expressing concern that drawing underground water may compromise the structure’s stability, intended for future living.

Rai acknowledges complaints from neighbors, attributing them to the impact of 50 people residing in a single house.

Some hostels operate without completing the registration process, prompting the association to consider legal action against them.

A worrisome trend is emerging in the hostel business, where some establishments are launched without a thorough market assessment.

This approach, marked by diminishing consumer spending and escalating investments, poses inherent risks.

Authorities affirm that, being a government-owned institution, nurses are available for facilities, and in case of any medical issues, treatment services are accessible at the nearby Jiri Hospital.

Hostels situated near educational consulting companies and language teaching centers experience overcrowding, indicating a seasonal nature in the hostel business.

Therefore, it is crucial to regulate the opening of hostels by carefully considering market conditions.

Contrastingly, the situation outside Kathmandu presents a different picture.

At the renowned Jiri Technical College in Dolakha, the hostel faces high demand, leaving numerous students without accommodation.

Before the 2015 earthquake, approximately 240 students could be accommodated, but the hostel’s capacity has now reduced to 150 students due to structural damage.

Despite a substantial demand for hostels, meeting this need remains impossible. Priority is now given to female students.

The government has implemented a rule to allocate hostels to marginalized and scholarship students.

However, officials acknowledge their inability to provide services due to structural constraints.

Given that Jiri’s technical school offers pharmacy and nursing courses, health services are delivered by on-site technicians.

Authorities affirm that, being a government-owned institution, nurses are available for facilities, and in case of any medical issues, treatment services are accessible at the nearby Jiri Hospital.