Mumbai University students protested on Friday over poor amenities and early closing hours at the Knowledge Resource Centre Library on the university’s Kalina campus, raising concerns about the facility’s usability for postgraduate and research students.
Students alleged that the library’s washrooms are not being properly maintained, its air-conditioning system is no longer functional and ventilation is inadequate. They also claimed that the drinking water available at the facility was unclean.
The students said the library had been unveiled only a few years ago, but several amenities promised when it opened were no longer functioning. The complaints point to a gap between the provision of a new academic facility and the upkeep required to keep it usable on a daily basis.
Students also questioned the library’s operating hours. The facility currently closes at 10 pm every night, which they said does not meet the needs of master’s and research students who require longer access for academic work.
“The hours are not suitable for master’s and research students who require more time for academics,” a student told Mid-Day.
Another student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said basic services should not require repeated demands from users. “We should not have to fight for basic facilities. High-speed WiFi, ventilation and clean washrooms are necessities for students who have moved to pursue their higher education. We hope that they will come up with a speedy solution,” the student said.
The complaints place attention on the operational side of university infrastructure, where cleanliness, ventilation, drinking water, connectivity and access hours determine whether a library can function as a dependable study facility. While the students’ allegations concern the Kalina library, the report does not establish whether similar problems exist elsewhere on the university’s campuses.
Mumbai University has launched a student dialogue initiative intended to address academic and administrative issues more quickly and transparently. The university said the initiative is focused on receiving student feedback and resolving concerns. The reported complaints at the Knowledge Resource Centre Library are now part of the concerns being raised through this wider engagement process.
The source report does not provide a repair schedule, details of an inspection, or a commitment to extend the library’s operating hours. It also does not state when the air-conditioning, ventilation, washroom maintenance or drinking-water concerns will be addressed. The next step will depend on the university’s response to the students’ complaints through its dialogue initiative.
