CHENNAI: Students staying at the M C Rajah Adi Dravidar Hostel in Chennai on Friday flagged poor food quality, inadequate amenities and safety concerns during chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s surprise inspection of the facility in Saidapet.Hostellers alleged that meals served at the hostel often contained worms and bugs. “The quality of food improved briefly after we staged protests last year, but it deteriorated again within days,” they told the chief minister. As the chief minister was walking inside the hostel, the group of students approached him midway, and he stopped to listen to them.Students complained about inadequate water supply, unclean bathrooms, shortage of staff, poor hygiene in the kitchen and insufficient CCTV surveillance. They alleged that kitchen workers did not use gloves or caps while preparing food and that only a fraction of the mandated 64 surveillance cameras had been installed.Several students preparing for TNPSC and UPSC examinations said the hostel gates were shut by 9.30pm, forcing those returning late from work or coaching classes to sleep outside, including in nearby parks. They alleged that anti-social elements had entered the hostel premises and accused some wardens and watchmen of verbally abusing students, leaving many under psychological stress.“We want improved amenities, sports facilities and overall maintenance of the hostel,” a student told the CM.The chief minister assured the students that all the grievances raised during the inspection would be addressed. He directed officials around him to take immediate corrective measures.The 10-storey new students’ hostel in Saidapet was built on behalf of adi dravidar and tribals welfare department (social justice department) at a cost of Rs 44.50 crore by the previous DMK regime. The CM later inspected various amenities in the hostel.
