SPPU students battle for clean water; close down university food mall

By: Pune Pulse

October 12, 2023

Pune: Students of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) had locked down the food mall of the University as a protest against clean water not being available inside the food mall, hostel for many days.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, a student of Savitribai Phule Pune University, requesting anonymity said, “There was no water available in the food mall of the university for almost a week. Whenever we came to eat at the food mall, due to no water, we had to buy water bottles at Rs 20 every day. We notified this to the concerned university authority but no action was taken. Also, we had no water supply in the hostel for the past 4 days. We informed this to the rector but only a technician came and changed the tap of the water filter. No servicing of the filter was done. The water supply which comes now is contaminated as there is dirt in the water. Nobody is bothered to pay attention to this.”

Another student of Savitribai Phule Pune University, requesting anonymity said, “There was no water supply for several days in the food mall. Hence, various students & student organizations came together & shut down the food mall. Now, the food mall has reopened, however, on Tuesday, the food mall was shut. Still, there is very little water supply in the food mall.”

Rahul Sasane, PhD Student and coordinator of the Pune University Students’ Committee said, “There are around 8 different types of eateries inside the food mall. There is no water supply in the food mall. Students have been regularly complaining about this to the University administration. However, there is still no water supply in the food mall. The shopkeepers at the food mall strictly order the students to purchase water bottles. Also, whenever we go to eat, if there is no water, we purchase water bottles. In the 20 hostels of the university, there is no clean water coming in as the coolers & filters have developed contamination. Hence, the water issue has become very severe.”

Dnyaneshwar Salunkhe, House Manager, Estate Department, Savitribai Phule Pune University said, “Water supply is coming regularly. There was the problem of contaminated water but even that is solved now. So, everywhere in the University, the water supply is clean & abundant now.”

Shreyas Vange