The Odisha Higher Education Department has issued a notice to Dhenkanal autonomous college authorities over students staying in the old and dilapidated hostel by risking their lives even after the construction of a new hostel.
The move came after OTV’s Dhenkanal correspondent Rajashree Satapathy highlighted the pathetic condition of the hostel building.
On the basis of the report, the Higher Education Department has written a letter to the principal of the institution.
In the letter, the College principal has been asked to submit a status report in this regard within three days.
Around 200 students are reportedly staying in the old Kapilash hostel which is now in a dilapidated condition. In order to facilitate hassle-free stay of outstation students, a new hostel has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.58 crore.
Though the construction of the hostel building has been completed and it was inaugurated two and a half year back, it continued to remain unoccupied because of lack of basic amenities.
According to report, the new hostel is yet to get electricity, drinking water facility, study tables and beds for students. As the new hostel remains a non-starter, many students coming from far-off places are forced to stay in rented accommodations by spending a considerable amount from their own pockets.