Once known for its environment and residential facilities, Jahangirnagar University (JU) is now grappling with a worsening sanitation crisis, as thousands of students face health risk due to unhygienic and poorly maintained toilets across campus.

Despite its reputation as one of Bangladesh’s leading public universities, JU has failed to ensure basic hygiene facilities in academic buildings, residential halls and public spaces – putting nearly 12,000 students at risk.

A recent campus visit revealed a grim reality: the majority of toilets lack soap, tissue, handwash or sanitisers, while many remain dirty due to irregular cleaning. Broken taps, clogged basins, dirty floors and persistent foul smells have become routine complaints.

Students alleged that the university authorities have failed to provide even the minimum sanitation support, forcing them to buy essential hygiene products on their own.

“Our hall looks fine from outside, but the washrooms are in terrible condition,” said Sajedul Islam, a resident of Nawab Salimullah Hall. “There’s no soap or tissue, basins are clogged, and cleaning is irregular. It is frustrating, especially for a new hall.”

Inmates of female residential halls also described similar conditions.

They said toilets in women’s halls also lack soap, tissues, handwash and proper waste disposal bins for sanitary napkins. Students further alleged that cleaners do not clean the washrooms regularly, leaving the floors dirty and unhygienic.

Associate Professor Rezwana Karim Snigdha, provost of Begum Sufia Kamal Hall, admitted that the university lacks a coordinated master plan for sanitation infrastructure.

“We do not have an integrated master plan, so most works are done without proper planning,” she said.

“Even after cleaning the septic tank three times, waterlogging in washrooms remains unresolved. The lack of sanitation facilities is increasing students’ exposure to germs. Though we try to solve problems instantly, we fail to ensure long-term solutions,” Snigdha added.

She also stressed the need for student awareness, saying many students do not use flushes properly, which worsens the sanitation crisis.

The condition of public toilets near the university’s Dairy Gate and central field is even worse.

Visitors and students said those toilets have no soap, sanitisers or tissues and in some cases, there is no regular water supply, making them nearly unusable in emergencies.

The toilets at the university’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), one of the busiest locations on campus, have also become almost unusable due to severe foul smell, dirt and lack of maintenance.

Students said the heavy use of these toilets during cultural events and gatherings at Selim Al Deen Muktamancha and the central playground worsens the situation.

Prof Mohammad Abdur Razzaq, provost of Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall and assistant proctor of the university, said the current state of the toilets is unhealthy and risky for students.

“These problems require immediate attention. The university must maintain and renovate toilets in important campus locations because they represent the institution’s image,” he said.

Razzaq also pointed to budget constraints, saying the annual allocation of Tk 70,000 for hall maintenance is insufficient. “Besides toilets, cleaners must regularly sanitise floors, basins and surrounding spaces to stop the spread of germs,” he added.

The same poor conditions prevail in academic buildings as well.

At the new Arts Building, students said most basins are unusable, taps remain broken and toilets emit unbearable foul smells due to irregular cleaning.

“There is no soap, no tissue and no bins for waste disposal. Students often avoid using these toilets altogether, which creates severe discomfort during class hours,” said Nusrat Jahan Aura, a student of the faculty. 

Dr Shamsur Rahman, chief medical officer at the university medical centre, warned that the poor sanitary conditions could trigger serious health complications.

“If toilets lack proper sanitation facilities, students will face severe health risks. Soap, tissue and hand sanitisers are essential,” he said.

“Unhygienic toilets can spread waterborne and infectious diseases, including diarrhoea, respiratory infections, kidney complications and even hepatitis,” the physician added.

He also noted that many female students avoid using dirty toilets, which can lead to long-term urinary and kidney-related health problems.

Despite the university completing 54 years since its establishment, no public toilet facilities have been built for visitors on the campus.

As thousands of outsiders visit the university for academic, administrative, political, social and cultural purposes, they rely on the already overburdened toilets in halls, offices and academic buildings.

Students said this lack of public sanitation not only spreads foul smells and germs but also increases the health risks faced by the university community.

Prof Sohel Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the university, said the authorities are trying to address the problems despite limited funding.

“We allocate budgets for the halls and the provosts are expected to manage maintenance accordingly. But due to limited funding, it is not possible to solve all problems at once,” he said.

“We distribute the grants received from the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh among different sectors. Even if we want to do more, financial limitations often prevent us,” Sohel Ahmed added.

He also acknowledged staff shortages in several halls and said the university will recruit additional personnel soon.

Students, however, believe that unless the university takes urgent and coordinated steps to improve sanitation facilities, thousands of residents and visitors will continue to face serious hygiene and health hazards on campus.