JALUKBARI, Oct 25 - The Gauhati University girls� hostels, most of which were established a long time back, are now in a dilapidated state. Repair and renovation of these hostels are progressing at a snail�s pace, much to the discomfort of the boarders.
The north campus houses three girls� hostels � Assam Type-10 (AT-10), RCC-4 and RCC-5 hall. The capacity of these hostels together is around 350. In the south campus there are seven girls� hostels � RCC-1, RCC-2, RCC-3, RCC-6, Assam Type-2 (AT -2), Assam Type-3 (AT -3) and a research scholar girls� hostel, Gandhi Bhawan. The total capacity of the north campus hostels is around 450.
The hostel boarders, while talking to this correspondent, revealed the myriad problems they have to face. There is a general agreement among them regarding the urgent need for installation of water coolers in all the hostels of the university.
There is a perennial shortage of water supply in RCC-1, according to the boarders. The water too is full of iron, probably because the water pipes are not maintained well. The pipes have also developed cracks at several places, which causes leakage of water. The bathrooms of RCC-1 also need urgent repair, the boarders feel.
One of the major problems faced by the south campus boarders is the monkey menace. Hoardes of monkeys that come down from the surrounding hills and jungles, vandalise everything they find in an around the hostels. The boarders cannot dry their clothes outside; they even cannot open their windows for fear of monkeys. The apes, which enjoy a free run in the entire GU area, have even broken windows in some of the hostel rooms. Repeated pleas for repair by the boarders have fallen on deaf ears.
The visitors� rooms of some of the hostels need improvement as these are hardly usable, feel the boarders.
Roof leakage is a major problem faced by RCC-1, RCC-2, RCC- 3, AT-2 and AT-3. During the rainy season it becomes difficult for some boarders to live in their rooms due to seepage of rainwater.
The drainage system in some of the hostels is in a pathetic condition. Stench emanating from some of the drains makes it difficult for the hostel windows to be opened.
In some of the hostels well-maintained signboards too have become a thing of the past. Once installed, these are left to take on the vagaries of the elements on their own.
The south campus boarders feel that more streetlights ought to be placed at strategic points. Also, the electrical wiring in some of the hostels is not maintained well. This causes frequent short circuits.
The infrastructure of AT- 2 girls� hostel too is in a bad shape and needs intervention. In some of the big rooms shared by four girls, only one fan is in service, which is grossly inadequate. The hostel inmates feel that at least two fans should be there in a room shared by four girls.
The north campus, which consists of three girls� hostels, AT-10, RCC-4 and RCC-5, has a total capacity of accommodating 350 girls. The water supplied to this campus is not adequate. Besides, it is not fit for drinking, bathing and washing clothes as it has a high iron content.
Roof leakage is a major problem of this campus also, with AT-10 and RCC-4 being the worst sufferers.
The drainage system of this campus is not properly maintained. As the highway has been constructed just behind this campus, the natural flow of drainwater from the hostels of this campus is hampered. As a result, many vector-borne diseases are common amongst the boarders of this campus.
The floors of RCC-4 and AT-10 need urgent repair, according to the boarders. This campus is also in need of 24-hour running water.
During monsoon unwanted visitors like snake, lizards and insects are a common sight in this campus. On several occasion even poisonous snakes like cobras have been found inside the hostel rooms of this campus.
On the other hand, most of the boarders feel that in this digital age and following the Prime Minister�s call for a digital India, there should be Wi-Fi facility in all the hostels. At present only one girls� hostel and one boys� hostel have the facility.
The boarders also feel that the entry timing of the girls� hostels should be extended to 7.30 pm. Students of the science stream have their practical classes till 5.30 pm, after which they sometimes have to go to Panbazar to purchase books, and on returning to the hostels it becomes late due to traffic snarls.
