Mumbai: Around 200 students living at Jugonnath Sunkersett (JS) Hostel, Churchgate of the Mumbai University (MU) have complained about problems faced at the hostel. Students have raised issues like broken doors, windows and false ceilings, besides the unhygienic water facilities which have affected the health of students. When The Free Press Journal visited the hostel, there were broken doors in some of the rooms and there were no window panes.
The glass window panes were broken and there were no grills for the balconies. Also, there were broken false ceilings in the common bathrooms and the water filter was damaged. Students revealed they fear slipping and falling down from the balconies as the doors are broken and they have no grills.
A student, who has been living since six months said, “My door is broken and I am petrified, because I have a sleepwalking problem. I am paranoid that I may walk to the balcony and may slip and fall down. I have complained repeatedly to the hostel authorities but they have not fixed the doors.”
Some students have fallen sick after drinking water from the damaged water filter. A student who was hospitalised said, “I was sick after drinking water from there and also after eating the canteen food. My health is affected and I have become weak, but I have nowhere else to go as I am not from this city and I cannot afford to rent a place in Mumbai.”
Authorities of MU claimed they have not received any complaints from the students. A senior officer of MU, said, “We have not received any such complaints from students living at JS hostel. Students can approach us and we will look into the matter.” This hostel is one of the oldest and largest boys’ hostel of MU which accommodates students from different states. Students pay a fee of Rs 7,000 to 8,000 for a year for accommodation facilities.
