Ferozepur college sans potable water facility

Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, January 22

About 1,000 students who traverse hundreds of kilometres daily to attain higher education in the district headquarters are bearing the brunt of government apathy.

Students studying in the Panjab University (PU) Constituent College, which started functioning in Ferozepur two years ago, have no access to potable water. Though the work on the construction of this college was completed years back, the department concerned is yet to provide a regular water connection.

The college authorities said they had sent many reminders for the same and had taken up the matter with the officials concerned, but in vain. Last week too, the college administration had put up the matter with the Water Supply and Sanitation Department.

“We find it extremely difficult to manage the potable water requirement of so many students,” said Rajiv Kumar, Assistant Professor in the political science department, who is also officiating as the principal in the absence of any regular appointment.

Rajiv said this facility had not been extended to the college despite the fact that the PWD Department had around Rs 16.50 lakh balance in its kitty out of the funds provided for the construction of this college. Besides this, the college has several budding sportsmen but the condition of the playground is very poor. It has not been levelled and is dotted with wild growth. The construction equipment has still not been removed from the playground. Also, there are no laboratories or computers to provide much-needed digital edge to the students. When contacted, Sushil Kumar, contractor, said from his side, the work is complete. On drinking water, he said the matter was under consideration of the department concerned.

“It was planned as a Model Degree College, but unfortunately it has nothing much to offer in terms of basic facilities,” said Subhash Sharma, retired principal.

Kulwant Singh, Superintendent Engineer, said due to some technical problems, the water connection could not be provided to the college.