Accommodation woes in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: R. Lavith, a territory sales manager in a private firm, has been transferred to Vijayawada from Ongole a few months ago.

Lavith, who is a bachelor, decided to shift to Vijayawada on job purpose but failed to get accommodation that suffices his needs.

Unfortunately he was unable to find a place in his budget and has been commuting between Ongole and Vijayawada every day.

Like Lavith, several other employees, students and others are finding it a tough task to get a paying guest accommodation or a share apartment in Vijayawada, the happening part of AP capital.

The reason is property owners in city have not yet opened up to the metro city culture through which accommodation facility is available for individuals on daily basis or couple of weeks, according to rental agencies here.

“House owners have many constraints to give their property for rent and the rents are usually high. They can’t afford bigger houses or find rooms that serve their purpose. Only option is shedding more money for independent houses,” said N. Madhava Rao, a rental agency organiser.  “Finding a share apartment or PG for a day or two or even a few months is as simple as shopping online in Hyderabad and other bigger cities. But in Vijayawada, there are no people who offer PG houses and also share apartments,” said Mr Lavith.

The online and mobile-based aggregators too have no presence in the city as no house owner is offering property on public domain.

People coming from far off places for interviews, examinations and long-term courses have to depend on cheap lodges or costly hotels.

However, aggregators like OYO Rooms are helping guests to city find hotels. For women there are hostels that charge hefty amount on monthly basis.