VIT University students exposed to unsafe contaminated water:E-coli bacteria found in 4 samples, food quality also under investigation

Water at VIT University in Sehore district has been found contaminated, with the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department confirming the presence of E. coli bacteria in the university’s water supply. The findings have placed the university administration under the threat of action. A few days earlier, students had complained about contaminated water and poor-quality food. Following these complaints, hostel wardens and guards allegedly assaulted a student. It was only after this violent incident that the administration responded and the PHE Department collected water samples from the campus. E. coli detected in multiple water sources According to the report from the PHE Department’s water testing laboratory, E. coli bacteria were detected in four out of 18 water samples. These samples were collected from the university’s tube well, ground-level tank, and RO system. PHE Department EE Pradeep Saxena confirmed that the presence of such bacteria poses a health risk. Students had reportedly been complaining for several months about illnesses such as jaundice caused by unsafe water, but the university management had ignored these concerns. Food quality also under Investigation While contamination in the water has been confirmed, the investigation into allegations of poor-quality food is still underway. A team from the Food and Drug Administration Department has collected more than 25 food samples, including pulses, rice, oil, flour, and maida, from five hostel messes and food zones on campus. All these samples have been sent to the Bhopal laboratory for detailed testing. Once the lab report is received, appropriate action will be taken regarding the quality of food provided to students.