Some of the residents of Eden Hindu Hostel started a sit-in on Thursday night, seeking immediate reopening of wards 3,4 and 5 which are yet to be renovated.
The hostel, where some of the Presidency University students stay, was shut down for renovation nine years ago.
Although wards 1 and 2 were reopened in 2018 following a protest by students, the other three wards are yet to be opened, forcing many needy students to stay in rented accommodation.
The students also demanded that the university bear the cost of the mess service of wards 1 and 2. The students said they have been running a canteen by themselves over the past year, but spiralling costs have made it difficult for them to bear the expenses.
The students said they withdrew the protest late on Friday after the Presidency authorities agreed to pay Rs 60,000 each month for food, as demanded by them.
A source on the campus later said: “The university will float a tender for the mess operations of Eden Hindu Hostel. The cost of the mess service will be close Rs 60,000 each month. We did not transfer the amount straightaway to the protesting students although they demanded the same.”
A protesting student said the authorities also told them that three wards would be repaired in phases.
The protesting students sat outside the office of
the dean of students, Arun Kumar Maity, to press their demands.
Seikh Sahidul, a resident of the hostel, said: “The hostel can accommodate 275 students. But only 115 students now stay there because only two wards are open. The authorities have to take steps to repair the remaining wards.”
Calls and text messages to the dean failed to yield any response.
