Undergraduate students of Government Medical College (GMC), Jagtial, have held a peaceful protest on October 7 over the delay in construction of the permanent college and hostel buildings stating that they have been functioning from inadequate temporary facilities for nearly four years. (Photo: X)

 Hyderabad: Undergraduate students of Government Medical College (GMC), Jagtial, have held a peaceful protest on October 7 over the delay in construction of the permanent college and hostel buildings stating that they have been functioning from inadequate temporary facilities for nearly four years.

In a representation to the authorities, the students said it had been three years, nine months and 29 days since the foundation stone was laid for the college and hostel buildings, but construction remained incomplete. They said colleges permitted in 2022 and several started in 2023 had already completed their permanent campuses.

“We will continue the protest without attending to classes as director of medical education needs to address the issue, nearly 450 of us participated in it” said GMC, Jagtial, junior doctors association, president, M. Prashant.

The students said a new batch was expected to join within a week or two, after which five batches would have to share three lecture halls. Of the two original lecture halls, one had become unusable due to ongoing construction while the remaining spaces had been converted from a reading room and a store room. Only three laboratories are currently being shared by departments from the first to third year, they said.

Hostel facilities are also inadequate, according to the representation. Students are reportedly staying six to eight in a room while there is no proper library or reading room facility for female students. The students said the lack of study space was particularly difficult for the two final-year batches, with one scheduled to appear for university examinations in less than six months.

They also raised concerns over the unfinished campus, including the lack of proper roads, drainage, sports facilities and a dedicated mess or canteen. During rains, parts of the campus reportedly become muddy with overflowing water. The students said they had been raising the issues with the MLA, district collector, roads and buildings department and contractors for the past two-and-a-half years but claimed that the assurances had not resulted in concrete action.

The students have further sought college buses for the family adoption programme, RHTC/UHTC postings and community medicine field visits besides internal roads, drainage, sports grounds and a hygienic dining facility.

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