LUCKNOW, June 27 -- Ahead of the new academic session, Lucknow University has launched a comprehensive renovation of its 18 hostels across the main and second campuses, with vice-chancellor Prof. J P Saini directing the administration to ensure safe, hygienic and student-friendly accommodation for incoming students. The university's construction department, through its civil and electrical wings, has begun repair and maintenance work in hostel rooms, kitchens and mess facilities. Existing residents have been asked to vacate the hostels by June 27, while mess services will remain closed from June 28 to facilitate the renovation, university spokesperson Prof. Mukul Srivastava said. He said hostel re-allotment from the new academic session will be conducted online through the Hostel Management System (HMS) portal to ensure transparency. The university has 18 hostels with a combined capacity of 3,029 students. The boys' hostels are Subhash Hall (192), Lal Bahadur Shastri Hall (140), Mahmudabad Hall (193), Habibullah Hall (193), Balrampur Hall (30), Prof. R S Bisht Hall (40), Acharya Narendra Dev Hall (110), Kautilya Hall (155) and Homi Jahangir Bhabha Hall (155). The girls' hostels include Kailash Hall (450), Tilak Hall (260), Chandra Shekhar Hall (184), Golden Jubilee Hall (52), Nivedita Hall (180), Birbal Sahni Hall (100), Ganga Hall (220), Dr B R Ambedkar Hall (155) and Lavanya Hall (220). As part of the overhaul, all hostel rooms will undergo deep cleaning before allotment. Damaged furniture will be repaired, new mosquito nets installed on doors and windows, and roofs cleaned and repaired where required. Old and damaged toilets will be renovated with new toilet seats, washbasins, cisterns, taps and PVC fittings. Existing PVC water tanks will also be replaced along with motor pumps wherever needed....