Residents of Bijoy Dibosh Hall at Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) are facing unhygienic conditions, overcrowding and inadequate facilities, raising concerns about their health and academic environment.
The 400-seat hall is plagued by poorly maintained washrooms, non-functional washbasins, broken doors, inadequate lighting and clogged drains. Accumulated garbage and plastic waste have turned parts of the premises into dumping grounds, worsening the mosquito and fly infestation.
Aedes mosquito larvae have reportedly been found in stagnant drain water, raising fears of dengue transmission. At least one student has already contracted the disease.
Of around 10 washbasins on both sides of the hall, only two or three are functional. Several washroom doors are broken or missing, while many lights do not work, forcing students to wait in queues to use the available facilities.
Dogs also roam freely up to the fifth floor, scattering garbage from dustbins and further worsening the unhygienic environment.
Resident student Sajjad Hossain said the lack of functional washrooms and washbasins causes daily suffering. He also complained about dogs roaming inside the building and urged the hall authorities to take immediate steps to address the problems.
Overcrowding in the hall's mass accommodation rooms has added to students' hardships. Afran Ahmed, a resident, said a room designed for 25 students accommodates nearly 100, with three to four beds placed together.
He said the shortage of lights and fans makes the rooms unbearable, particularly during hot weather.
The reading room is also in poor condition, with inadequate seating, crumbling walls and damaged window grills.
Abdul Latif, a 2019-20 academic year student of the English department, said sand falling from the walls damages students' books and notebooks. The foul smell from nearby drains also disrupts the study environment.
Students have also raised concerns about the quality and pricing of food at the hall's dining facility.
Resident student Faisal Ahmed said the food served is often of poor quality, while lunch is sometimes served at dinner. He also said fish is priced at Tk50, making it unaffordable for many students.
Contacted, Bijoy Dibosh Hall Provost Robiul Islam said he had recently held a meeting to discuss the problems.
Acknowledging the drainage issues, he said students were partly responsible for the blockages as they often dump leftover rice and other food waste into the drinking water lines, creating an unhygienic environment.
He also attributed overcrowding in the mass rooms to students' failure to maintain discipline.
The provost said he had received no complaints about faulty lights and fans or the deteriorating condition of the reading room. However, he said the authorities would inspect the facilities, identify the problems and take necessary steps.
Regarding the damaged washbasins and doors, he said repairs would be costly and would require substantial university funding.
He added that he would ask the cleaning staff to improve sanitation across the hall. The dining manager could also be asked to reconsider food prices if students requested it.
