85% of Toilets in Jamshedpur Colleges Lack Sanitary Pads

Jamshedpur: A severe sanitation crisis has come to light in colleges affiliated with Kolhan University and Jamshedpur Women’s University, where nearly 85 percent of toilets reportedly lack access to sanitary pads. Despite repeated complaints by students over the past three months, little action has been taken, exposing a glaring gap between official claims and ground realities.

Students allege that funds allocated for sanitation have failed to translate into basic facilities on campuses. From non-functional sanitary pad vending machines to the absence of dustbins and cleaning supplies, the situation reflects widespread neglect. In many colleges, inadequate cleaning staff has further worsened conditions, leaving toilets unhygienic and unusable.

Over the past three months, multiple complaints from students have highlighted that nearly 85 percent of toilets lack access to sanitary pads, while many facilities remain unhygienic and poorly maintained. Students allege that their grievances have largely gone unheard, raising questions over accountability and monitoring mechanisms.

Across several colleges, issues such as non-functional sanitary pad vending machines, absence of dustbins, clogged drainage systems, and lack of cleaning supplies like phenyl and acid have become commonplace. The shortage of sanitation staff has further aggravated the situation, with reports indicating that in some cases, teachers are compelled to clean their own rooms.

A closer look at key institutions reveals the extent of the crisis:

At Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial College, students complain of toilets without soap or hand dryers, irregular water supply, and frequent power outages. Concerns have also been raised over the absence of security personnel and delays in issuing student ID cards.

Conditions at Jamshedpur Workers’ College are reportedly the most alarming. Nearly 70 percent of the building is said to be in a dilapidated state, with unusable public toilets and unsafe structures such as weakened balconies posing serious risks to students.

At Graduate College Jamshedpur, despite having more than ten toilets, only one is accessible to female students. The facility remains poorly maintained, with foul odors and infrequent cleaning. The water tank has reportedly not been cleaned for four years, and the RO purification system is defunct.

Even Jamshedpur Women’s College, built at a cost exceeding ₹80 crore, is grappling with inadequate facilities. Students cite water shortages, crumbling infrastructure in administrative blocks, erratic electricity supply, and unhygienic toilets as major concerns.

Responding to the complaints, a senior Principal said: ” A memorandum has been received from students regarding sanitation, drinking water, and safety issues. A thorough investigation would be conducted and necessary steps would be taken to ensure that facilities are provided in accordance with regulations”.

The situation underscores a growing gap between policy and implementation, leaving students to struggle with inadequate infrastructure in institutions meant to safe and healthy learning environments.