Chennai: Dr Ambedkar Govt Arts College in Vyasarpadi is no place for students. There’s no drinking water here, the fans don’t function and the toilets are a stinking mess. And all this in spite of having been allocated 3 crore last year for civil and maintenance work.
Multiple reverse osmosis (RO) water kiosks have been lying defunct for months, and students are left to pool money to buy packaged drinking water. The men’s toilet blocks on the ground floor are closed with cement slabs due to lack of water connections. The one that works is so filthy that it’s unusable. Women’s toilet blocks, on the other hand, are surrounded by thick overgrowth and littered with broken liquor bottles and used plastic cups.
Classrooms fare no better. Several ceiling fans in the main academic block don’t work. And in the sweltering heat, students are often have to step out between sessions to breathe. “It’s hard to sit through 40- to 50-minute classes sweating,” said a second-year chemistry student.
The college, which operates in two shifts, has no proper canteen either. A lone pushcart vendor serves food and water for students and staff. A broken compound wall, absence of CCTV surveillance, and lax security at the entrance compound safety concerns.
When shown photo and video evidence by TOI, Principal V Prakash refused to comment on the condition of the college, insisting instead that all issues were resolved and that only staff members paid for additional drinking water. He also declined to address student complaints over restricted computer lab access and the lack of TNPSC preparation books in the library.
Minister P K Sekarbabu promised immediate action, and local MLA RD Shekhar said an estimate was prepared to repair facilities and build a new lab. But he admitted funds from the ‘Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam’ scheme may not cover smaller amounts like 50 lakh or 1 crore that is required for such repairs.
Conditions are equally grim at the students’ hostel in Villivakkam. There, complaints of inedible food, dry toilets, and broken doors have fallen on deaf ears. Attempts to escalate issues to revenue officials were reportedly rerouted back to hostel wardens themselves, leading to fears of retaliation among students.