Demolished toilets of Jamshedpur Women’s College create health problems as the new toilets await inauguration. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, April 24: As Jamshedpur Women’s College authorities wait for an auspicious day to inaugurate their new toilets, students are left at the mercy of nature’s call.

Most students prefer staying home these days, not because of unavailability of books or the absence of teachers in the college but for the lack of decent toilets.

The college, comprising 7,000 students, does not have even one functional toilet for the pupils.

The one that existed was demolished a month ago, as there were no sewage facilities. Conditions are so bad that students now have to go behind broken walls and bushes.

“It’s an absolute nightmare for students. We have to stay in college for seven to eight hours daily without even one toilet,” said Sangeeta Kumari, a first-year student who comes from Gamharia, about 12 km from here.

Meanwhile, six modern toilets constructed on the campus wait to be opened.

Principal of the college Shukla Mahanty said: “There is no proper water connection to these toilets. Once that is in place, we will open the toilets on an auspicious day.”

However, students said the college is yet to pay up the dues to the contractors. Hence, all six of these toilets have been locked.

Former JMM MP Sunil Mahto gave funds for the new toilets, but after his death this project has run into rough waters.

In an effort to provide toilets, even though the college authorities demolished a part of the wall blocking the way to an old urinal, what was exposed was nothing but six cubicles with cemented drains having absolutely no water.

“Conditions are miserable here. Previously, the lone toilet that existed was extremely dirty but at least we had a place to go. Now the situation has only worsened. We know it’s not good for our health, but we are helpless. Now, we have to go to the single staff toilet on the first floor,” said Seema, a first-year student.

This, obviously, does not go down well with the faculty since “everybody — from the principal to the peons — has to use this toilet. So, they do not like it if students use the toilet,” said Pinky Sinha, a student of physics (honours).

The drinking water conditions are pathetic, too, since there are only three water taps in the college.

Moreover, the overhead tank used to store water is not cleaned regularly, either.

“We have recently re-ceived funds from UGC to construct ramp, rail and toilets for disabled students. The basic infrastructure would also be enhanced in the coming three or four months,” said Mahanty.

Less than a year ago, the UGC granted the institution a college with potential for excellence (CPE) status, wherein the college was given Rs 60 lakh for overall development.

The college is definitely not the lone case of mismanagement.

Tatanagar station, too, is a glaring example. Of the five platforms here, only one has a toilet.