Hyderabad: The Government City College, also known as a 'mini university' in the Old City, which began its centenary celebrations last Tuesday, lacks basic amenities such as toilets and sanitation on its premises, according to the students.
The college was established by the seventh Nizam Mir Usman Ali Khan but today has a different story to tell.
According to Mohmed Haneef Khan, a student of this college, "Toilets are shabby, we have to go either in the bushes or cross the road and use Sulabh toilets. This matter has been reported to the principal and HoDs, but there has been no proper response. Amongst the students, girls are suffering the most."
Shoaib Shareef, another student, said, "There is no drinking water facility and the premises are not in a hygienic condition. Outsiders come and sit in the college. Some serious action has to be taken by the authorities."
The college has 4,500 students in the undergraduate sections, nearly 2,000 in the Intermediate section and 250 doing their postgraduation. Together with staff and others, nearly 8,000 people use the toilet daily.
Hanumanth Rao Singam, an alumna of the college, said, "The toilets have become shabby. During the lockdown, this premises was given to the police, and some toilets were constructed. As the contractor was not paid, he left the job in the middle. At least now the authorities should come forward and do the needful."
Responding to this, City College Principal Dr P. Bala Bhaskar said, “I agree that students and staff face inconvenience. The toilets were built when the college was contructed 100 years ago. The number of students has multiplied since then.”
Besides one of the two caretaker of the toilets had died of Covid-19, and a replacement has to be found.
He said the college administration had planned to add more toilets but work was affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. “Within a month or two, the new toilets will ready.” Dr Bhaskar said.
