The authority of Rangpur Carmichael University College continues to
remain indifferent, though the students are facing an acute shortage
of college buses and dormitories.
Though the students have been suffering a lot for the shortage of
buses, the authority is yet to take any initiative to solve the
problem, students said.
Most of the students cannot use college buses, as those are always
over-crowded, especially during their peak hours, the students said,
adding that many of the students just take risk to travel by public
buses.
According to sources, the college has only three buses for about
25,000 students. The buses are inadequate compared to the large number
of students. One of the buses remains out of order almost regularly, a
student said.
The students often miss classes because of the transport crisis.
On the other hand, there are only four dormitories for the male
students and three for female students on the campus with the capacity
of accommodating only 1,900 students. Most of the students have to
reside in messes and rented houses in and outside the town while some
others come from outside the town, they said.
The female students are the worst sufferers as they are often haunted
by a sense of insecurity in the messes and rented houses and also have
to spend a lot for traveling to the university.
About 15,000, out of nearly 25,000 students, come from outside the
town and most of them cannot avail the college buses, college
administration sources said.
The students who want to use the buses have to take seats about an
hour before the departure, said the students, adding that sometimes
they have to wait for long at different stoppages.
‘I always book my seat in the bus about 45 minutes ahead of the time,’
said Mahabuba Akhter, a second year Honors student of English
Department.
‘We have to wait for hours at different stoppages and many of us have
to go to the college by traveling on rooftops of the buses,’ said
Azad, a third year student of the philosophy department.
‘The same thing happens on the way home from the campus,’ said another student.
Monira Kawsar, a third year honors student of the Political Science
Department, said she has to come to the college from Hajirhat of the
town, 12 kilometres away from the campus. She has to spend Tk 50 in
rickshaw fare to reach the college campus everyday. Her poor father
cannot afford it. So, she goes to the college three days a week.
When asked, Principal of the College Professor Monsur Ahmad said it
was one of the reputed colleges in the then British ruled
sub-continent. It was established in 1916. It still retains its glory
despite all the limitations.
“The college authority is always concerned at the problems the
students face. We’re trying to procure three more buses immediately to
ease the crisis,” he said. –Our Correspondent, Rangpur
