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The Odisha government has always urged alumni associations of colleges and universities across the State to offer their services for betterment of their alma maters. However, the situations on the ground tell a different story.
A mobile toilet provided by alumni members of Vanivihar Old Students’ Society-92 (VOSS 92) to the university is lying defunct even three years after its inauguration by then vice chancellor.
The mobile facility, now standing near the administrative building, a central location on the campus, was meant to cater for the requirements of general public and visitors coming to the varsity. VOSS had provided the utility on the occasion of the platinum jubilee celebration of the varsity in 2019.
However, stark apathy and indifference by the authorities to use it has rendered the facility dormant.
Built at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh, the project was inaugurated by then Vice-Chancellor Soumendra Mohan Patnaik and the maintenance of the facility was entrusted upon the institution. But, university administration has since been rather indifferent towards it. Several meetings with the authorities have been held and letters given, but to no use.
"With the objective of making the campus cleaner and healthier, the initiative was taken by VOSS. We felt that the university has everything except a proper toilet facility for the visitors. Observing the inconvenience of parents, applicants and visitors, we dedicated the toilet to the campus. However, the toilet is yet to be functional due to the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities," said VOSS founder member Gadadhar Rath.
Though VOSS members have written to the varsity authorities several times, their requests to make the mobile toilet functional has fallen on deaf ears.
"Without sewerage connection and proper maintenance, the mobile toilet is gathering rust. We request the varsity authorities again to take necessary measures to make the facility functional at the earliest," Rath added.
