Cuttack, July 11: Tension prevailed on the Ravenshaw University campus after inmates of Jagannath Chhatrabas today paralysed functioning of the administrative work in the varsity demanding better facilities at the hostel.

The students locked the administrative building, demanding urgent measures for the repairs of the dilapidated hostel building, located outside the campus.

“We are protesting against the callous attitude of the varsity officials, who have failed to address our basic problems,” said Ansuman Das, a second year BCom student.

Das said the students were not feeling safe inside the building due to its dilapidated state. Yesterday around 6.30am, a concrete slap fell from the ceiling. However, no one was hurt in the incident, he said.

At present, nearly 280 students are staying at Jagannath Chhatrabas. They alleged that the university was collecting Rs 3,000 towards admission fee for the hostel from each inmate while no step had been taken for the repairs in the past couple of years.

“The entire building is dilapidated and officials are not undertaking any repairs,” said Jagamohan Patra, a third year BSc student. Patra said the students were facing problems as the roof in almost all the rooms was leaking in case of heavy rain, while no sanitation was being maintained inside the hostel.

The hostel inmates alleged that though a small room had been converted into a library, it was yet to function as no books had been allotted there so far. Ravenshaw University registrar Padan Kumar Jena said steps were being taken to resolve the grievances.

“We have written to the public works department to undertake repairs at the hostel and the work is likely to begin shortly,” said Jena.

He said that nearly Rs 55 lakh had been spent towards minor repair and renovation, construction of the library and other works at the hostel last year.