Date:13/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031318990300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Poor conditions at OU hostels

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Even as the Koti Women's College episode has raised an alarm, conditions at Osmania University Boys Hostels seem to be no better. Hostellers are upset with the poor maintenance of facilities, especially drinking water storage systems.

Nearly 4000 boys and 1000 girls reside in 18 hostels on the campus.

And most of the hostels have cement water tanks constructed years ago to store drinking water.

"Though `sintex' tanks are provided at many blocks still some rely on the cement ones for storing drinking water. Sadly, they are never cleaned," said a first year student of `D' Hostel.

Cement tanks

The situation is no different at the Engineering 2 Hostel. "The food is okay but these cement water tanks some times emanate foul smell," according to the students.

The conversion of the open space near Engineering 1 Hostel into a garbage dump is another sore thing.

Facilities

The University will soon constitute a committee, comprising student representatives from each college, wardens and professors to check the facilities provided and to ensure their proper maintenance, according to university Registrar M. Mutha Reddy.