Rats & snakes creep into Mumbai University-Thane loos

Rusted pipes, broken taps, choked commodes, filthy floors, infested with snakes and rats — students of Thane sub-campus of the Mumbai University face it all while attending nature's call.

None of the 3 toilets at the three-storeyed building are suitable for use, forcing students to attend nature's call with reptiles and rodents.

Around 450-500 students are enrolled on the campus.

"Huge rats running over our feet, snakes slithering through pipes and floors of washrooms. It's a nightmare! Students of this campus have no security," ranted a 19-year-old student of Bachelors in Management Studies (BMS).

Students pointed out that the condition of the washrooms is far worse than public toilets in the city. "One has to visit the washrooms to realise how pathetic they are. I bet not a single authority would step into such place. The taps and pipes are rusted and broken, the commodes are choked since months, nobody bothers to clean them. The doors and windows too are in dilapidated condition. Authorities lose their minds if we are a day late in paying fees. Yet we are forced to study in this condition for years," said another student pursuing BMS-MBA.

As per the letter submitted to the Engineering Section and Registrar of the MU by the System and Network Manager of the University Computerisation Centre (UCC) of MU, the Thane sub-campus needs urgent engineering work.

The letter also points out the pathetic condition of water tanks. "Cracks have appeared on the walls of all the three tanks a few months ago. One of these tanks broke down and hence, needs an urgent replacement," the letter stated.

Speaking to DNA, Sunita Magar, in-charge director of Thane-campus said she has written to the Fort campus, which is the administrative division of MU, but is yet to hear anything from them. "I have written a couple of times to the authorities in the Fort campus since first week of August, but have received no response. I'm planning to meet them on Tuesday and resolve the matter as soon as possible," said Magar.