Bhubaneswar: More than 500 students of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, staged a protest outside the university’s administrative block on Tuesday, demanding better hostel facilities, improved food quality, and the withdrawal of the compulsory uniform policy.
The students alleged that repeated representations to the university authorities had failed to yield any concrete action.
The protesters raised several issues, including overcrowded hostel rooms, poor-quality food served in the mess, an inadequate drinking water supply, unhygienic living conditions, and the mandatory uniform policy. They urged the university administration to address these problems at the earliest.
Speaking to mediapersons, a student said the protest, which initially focused on the compulsory uniform policy, soon expanded to include long-pending hostel-related grievances.
“Five students are staying in rooms meant for three, making it difficult even to move around. The quality of the food is poor, and we have learnt that a food service provider that was earlier blacklisted has once again been awarded the catering contract. We want to know why such a company has been given the tender,” the student alleged.
Another student claimed that hostel residents were struggling due to a lack of basic amenities.
“There are frequent water shortages, poor hygiene, and the food served in the mess is of poor quality. The condition of the bathrooms is also unsatisfactory. Besides hostel issues, students feel that academic concerns are also not receiving adequate attention,” the student said.
A female student alleged that hostel inmates were facing a severe drinking water crisis.
“Most of the water filters in our blocks are either non-functional or do not provide an adequate supply. While the academic buildings have proper drinking water facilities, the hostels continue to face shortages. We were also asked to buy blue uniforms after they were made compulsory. Now, after the uniforms have faded with regular use, we are again being asked to purchase new ones, placing an additional financial burden on students,” she said.
The protesting students demanded immediate improvements in hostel infrastructure, including better accommodation, an uninterrupted water supply, hygienic sanitation, and quality food. They also sought the withdrawal of the compulsory uniform policy.
“We are not asking for luxury. We are only demanding the basic facilities that every student deserves,” another student said.
The university administration had not issued an official statement on the students’ allegations till the filing of this report.
