Campus Talk: With no canteen at hostel, male students at BMC-run Topiwala medical college get sick of having street food

The gents’ hostel does have a mess but, according to students, the mess has a specific menu offered in a stipulated schedule. “Many of us have different times of eating depending on our class, internship etc. A canteen really works as it is the best solution in such a case,” said a student, who added that there are no affordable good food options within 1km radius of the hostel. The students are thus forced to depend on street food or other options, which is costlier.

The aggrieved hostel students approached Yuva Sena affiliated with the UBT faction of Shiv Sena with their issue following which students’ wing secretary Varun Sardesai wrote a letter to the administration. “We visited the hostel premises and were really shocked to see that the canteen’s infrastructure is ready but the shutters are closed. The authorities are saying that there is a delay in the tendering process,” member of Yuva Sena (UBT) Pradeep Sawant told The Indian Express.

Sawant said that since the civic body is run by administrators, the students had nobody to approach with their issues. “On regular days, this matter would have had to come to the health committee by a people’s representative for resolution,” he said.

When contacted, the college administration dean Dr Pravin Rathi agreed that there has been a procedural delay after Covid, especially in acquiring approvals. “All approvals are ready now and soon the tender will be floated and the issue will be resolved,” Dr Rathi said.