Students of Government Commerce College in Chittagong have been left in dire straits as there is virtually no accommodation facility for them.

Though the situation has been prevailing over the years, the authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to their sufferings, said the students. 

The male students in particular are the worst sufferers, as the lone male hostel of the institute has been closed for over 28 years.

The Martyr Abdul Hamid Hostel was closed in May, 1989 following a number of clashes between Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists in which at least three students were killed.

Almost three decades have elapsed, but the college authorities have not taken any step to launch a new hostel or reopen the existing one despite repeated appeals made by the students. 

At present, the college has some 15,000 students. The Martyr Abdul Hamid Hostel had 245 seats.

Students said if the hostel had been reopened, it could have brought some relief to at least a small bunch of students who were really in need of the residential facility.  

Students, hailing from different upazilas and districts, have to rent messes near the college in Agrabad area of the port city or travel long tiring distance every day.

Faisal Mahbub, a sophomore BBA student who lives with his family in Patiya upazila, told this correspondent that he makes several journeys to reach his college every day.

He first hires a rickshaw to get to the bus stand, then board a bus which takes him to Notun Bazar area in the city. From there, he again takes a public transport to reach New Market area from where he finally gets into another bus to reach his destination.

The entire one-way journey takes him around two hours if there is less traffic and costs him Tk 175.

Seeking anonymity, a BBA third-year student, of Gazipur, who is staying at his maternal uncle's home in Bahaddarhat area, said, “My two cousins and I have to reside in a small room meant for only one.”

He said he would get a mental, physical as well as financial relief if the hostel was open.

Touhidul Islam, a BBA second-year student who is residing in a rented mess near the college, said, “I need some Tk 6,000 per month for my monthly expenses including meal charges. Moreover, house owners increase rents every year.  My poor family is struggling to bear all my expenses.”

A number of students said their monthly expenditure would reduce by half if they could stay at the college hostel.

Sabbir Chowdhury, acting president of BCL college unit, said they verbally requested the authorities concerned on several occasions for reopening the hostel but it has fallen on deaf ears.

The hostel needs immediate renovation, he said, also urging the authorities concerned to construct a new building to be used as a male dormitory.

Principal of the college, Md Ayub Bhuiyan, said the four-storey hostel building is now dilapidated and beyond renovation.

He rather stressed that a dormitory for teachers is more important for now.

The principal, however, said he would talk to the higher authorities for constructing a new male hostel.

About not considering opening the hostel in the last 28 years, he said they did not open it for security reasons.

However, students said it has become a new trend to keep dormitories closed for years in the name of security reasons.

It is the college's responsibility to create conditions conducive to the pursuit of academics, they added.

The college also has a female hostel with only 50 seats. Construction of another female hostel with 250 seats has just been completed.