Vijayawada: With the monsoon season setting in, students of Government Siddhartha Medical College in Vijayawada have raised concerns over infrastructure and maintenance issues on the campus, including waterlogging near hostel premises, overgrown vegetation, stray dog menace and the condition of student facilities.Speaking on condition of anonymity, several MBBS students said portions of the college grounds become waterlogged even after moderate rainfall, making movement difficult in some areas. Students also pointed to overgrown grass and vegetation in parts of the campus, expressing concerns about mosquitoes, insects and reptiles during the rainy season.Some students alleged that stray dogs occasionally enter the campus despite security measures. While no recent incidents were reported, students claimed there had been instances in the past where dogs chased or attacked students during evening walks.Students further raised concerns about hostel maintenance, stating that the decades-old buildings require regular upkeep. They said there is poor hostel maintenance and there is not proper water facilities in the hostel. They also sought improvements in recreational facilities, including the gym and sports infrastructure.Responding to the concerns, college principal Dr A Yedukondala Rao said the administration is addressing infrastructure issues on a priority basis. He acknowledged that the college ground, which is situated at a lower level, has experienced waterlogging for the past five to six years and said efforts are underway to rectify the issue through levelling works.He said NTR University of Health Sciences has provided a grant of Rs 10 lakh for ground development, while the college is contributing an additional Rs 10 lakh and will soon start the works. Development works are underway for laboratories, classrooms waiting halls and other facilities. He added that drainage works are progressing and a shuttle court is expected to be completed within three to four months.Regarding hostel maintenance, the principal said the hostel buildings are around 40 years old and repair works are being carried out regularly every month. He added that the administration is open to receiving and addressing student grievances.Government General Hospital superintendent Dr G. Raghunandan said the hospital currently has 59 ventilators and around 50 are in use on an average. He said there is requirement and proposals have been sent to the Directorate of Medical Education seeking additional ventilators for individual wards. He added that MRI, X-ray and other equipment are covered under annual maintenance contracts and are repaired whenever technical issues arise. The hospital has also sought additional equipment, drugs and surgical supplies from APMSIDC and the DME, he said.
