Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA) - Pics Geekay

Mangalore, Feb 13: The Kudmul Ranga Rao Girls Hostel near PVS Circle has constantly been hitting headlines for a number of reasons.  The inmates with the support of some organizations had also protested against the lack of facilities available in the hostel.  Moreover, the hostel has been maintained in an unhygienic way without proper drainage and other amenities.  The building work itself has come under scanner a several times.

The allegations that some foul play has been involved in the building of the hostel proved to be true on Sunday February 12 night when a portion of the hostel crashed.  Luckily none of the inmates was hurt in the mishap.

On Sunday night the lintel on the second floor collapsed at 8.40.  Usually around this time, the inmates (girls) come out in the same way to wash they plates after the dinner.  But Sunday dinner was yet going on when the portion collapsed.

The hostel was built only 10 years ago.  But it looks as if a century old.  The hostel is also the abode of several diseases with malaria taking a prominent place.  Every year at least a dozen students are affected by malaria.  Yet nothing has been done. 

Though several protests have been held and appeals submitted over this kind of apathy, the concerned authorities have turned a deaf ear as always.  This may be because the officials' children do not have to reside in this hostel, said one of the inmates recently.

The lintel of the front portion of the hostel had collapsed a year ago, which is not yet repaired.  Now the lintel of the second floor too has collapsed.  It may take another decade to repair this, said some of the shopkeepers at the PVS Circle, quite sarcastically.