Illegal Gas Connections in Teachers’ and Officials’ Residences, Gas Crisis at JnU’s Only Cafeteria

 JnU Correspondent

Regular gas shortages at the only cafeteria of Jagannath University are disrupting cooking activities. Due to insufficient gas pressure, the canteen authorities have to cook on wood-burning stoves as an alternative. The concerned people said that this is causing an additional expenditure of around Tk 45,000 per month.

The university’s cafeteria provides food for around 5,000–6,000 students every day. However, an on-site inspection found that the cafeteria’s cooking activities are being operated from a gas line. There are allegations that several other establishments have also been given illegal gas connections from the same line. Among these, it is known that several connections have gone to residential buildings of teachers and officials. As a result, due to the reduced gas pressure at the cafeteria, it is not regularly possible to use gas stoves.

Talking to the canteen authorities, it was learned that connections have been provided from the same gas line to various departments of the university, residences of teachers and employees, and several other establishments. The use of gas in these establishments further reduces the gas pressure at the cafeteria, especially during busy cooking hours.

The canteen authorities said that regular cooking is not possible due to the gas shortage. At times, cooking has to be done on wood-burning stoves. They have to spend around Tk 45,000 extra every month just on wood. This is increasing the canteen’s operating costs on the one hand, while on the other hand, it is causing business losses.

The authorities further said that cooking on wood-burning stoves takes comparatively more time. As a result, it is not possible to supply food to students on time. If the gas problem is solved, cooking capacity can be increased as well as new food items can be introduced.

They further said, “The matter of the gas shortage has been informed to the concerned engineering officials of the university. However, no permanent solution has been found yet. The university’s Chief Engineer and the university administration are all aware of the problem. Despite everyone knowing about the matter, no such measure has yet been taken to ensure that the cafeteria receives sufficient gas regularly.

When contacted regarding the gas shortage, it was learned that the university’s Chief Engineer is currently abroad.

Regarding this, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Roich Uddin, said, “There is a gas shortage almost everywhere in the country now. It is not unusual that our university is also facing it. However, it is not certain whether the main line of our cafeteria itself is legal. We have talked to Titas authorities about this matter. We are trying to ensure that the problem is permanently solved as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, students have also complained about delays in getting food at the cafeteria due to the gas shortage. One student said, “Many times, after ordering food at the canteen, we have to wait for a long time. If there is a class soon, it becomes difficult to eat and attend the class on time. If this is happening because of the gas problem, then the university should solve it quickly. We are not getting food on time, while gas is being supplied illegally to the houses of teachers and officials. The university administration should be more vigilant about these matters.”

Another student said, “There is also not much variety in the food items at the canteen. If new food items can be added after solving the gas problem, it will be good for the students.”

The cafeteria authorities claim that if the gas supply becomes normal, cooking time will be reduced as well as food production capacity will increase. This will create an opportunity to supply food to students on time and also make it possible to add new food items.

According to those concerned, regular gas shortages at the university’s only cafeteria are causing the canteen authorities to bear additional expenses on the one hand, while also affecting food supply to students on the other. Therefore, they have demanded a permanent solution to the problem by ensuring an adequate and separate gas connection for the cafeteria.