Lucknow: Expressing displeasure over vacant hostels, non-functional messes and inadequate student facilities at Lucknow University, chancellor and governor Anandiben Patel on Friday said the situation gave the impression that the new academic session had “not even begun” and directed the university administration to address the shortcomings within one to two months.Speaking at the university’s convocation ceremony at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scientific Convention Centre on Friday, the governor said all 18 hostels spread across the university’s old and new campuses, with a combined capacity of around 3,000 students, were still lying vacant despite the commencement of the academic session.“It appears as though the new session has not started. The hostels have not yet been allotted to students,” she said.Patel also criticised the delay in making hostel messes operational, saying students had informed her that they had already shifted to Lucknow with their belongings but were forced to stay in hotels or private accommodation and arrange meals outside the campus due to the delay.“Have you thought about the additional financial burden on students?” she asked.The governor also highlighted several infrastructure gaps, stating that five hostels lacked washing machines, Wi-Fi was either unavailable or non-functional in 12 hostels and dairy products such as paneer sold on the campus were sourced from local vendors instead of established brands like Amul.She also directed the university to extend the central library’s operating hours beyond the existing 8 am to 8 pm schedule and keep it open on Saturdays and Sundays.Patel further pointed to poor campus maintenance, saying scrap material was lying unattended in several areas.Departments like botany, computer science and area opposite the Tagore Library need immediate cleanliness drives. She also termed the condition of the campus RO drinking water facilities unsatisfactory.She, however, congratulated the university for its achievements in sports and book publications while directing the administration to improve student amenities on priority.
