Students at the Ambedkar Kalyan Hostel in Tilka Manjhi University, Bhagalpur, Bihar, have been forced to construct their own bridge using salvaged materials to navigate to their rooms. The hostel has been severely affected by flooding, with water levels reaching up to three feet. This difficult situation is compounded by the lack of action from the university administration and the municipal corporation. The students must traverse a 200-meter stretch along a wall surrounded by stagnant water, and then cross the makeshift bridge created from doors and windows. The ongoing renovation of the nearby Bhairwa pond, under the smart city project, has exacerbated the problem due to incomplete drainage. Despite numerous complaints and requests, the students’ needs have been ignored, forcing them to find their own solutions to ensure their safety and access.
