Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), popularly known as IIIT Basara in Telangana’s Nirmal district is facing fresh complaints over drinking water quality and campus hygiene. Students have complained that sewage-like water is flowing through taps in parts of the campus and there are fears of health hazard too.
The latest complaints follow a water shortage that has already put the university’s academic calendar out of gear. The institution which houses thousands of students and staff members has also been criticised for the quality of food served in its hostel messes.
This is Water! This is Food! This is the prestigious Basara IIT - Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies in Basara, Telangana. These pathetic, inhuman conditions prevail here despite Congress government coming to power three years ago. Food that is infested with worms, water that looks like drainage water is a regular phenomenon. Can we have a round of Chhatron Ki Goonj in this slum-like university please?
— Revathi (@revathitweets) November 10, 2026
The issue has gone viral on social media after a post shared by X user Revathi showed photographs and videos allegedly showing dirty water and unhygienic food at the university.
However, the water contamination claims and the broader allegations about food quality need to be looked at separately. There have been reports of student complaints before; university officials have also disputed aspects of an earlier food incident.
Students Report Sewage-Like Water Flowing Through Campus Taps
Tea Time Telugu reported on November 10 that students at IIIT Basara have been going through a lot because of water crisis.
Students reportedly complained that sewage-like water was running through taps in the campus, raising questions about whether the water available for daily use was safe.
Some students also reported skin problems and asked university authorities to check the water supply system.
They have demanded an immediate inspection, safe drinking water and a permanent solution to the problem.
The allegations are especially worrying as students living in residential hostels rely on campus administration for drinking water, sanitation and other basic facilities.
An independent lab test or official water-quality report confirming the contamination was not available in the reports reviewed for this article. So, we don’t know what exactly is being reported as contaminated and how much of it.
Water Shortage Forced University to Extend Dasara Holidays
These latest complaints follow a serious water shortage which hit the university in October 2026.
The New Indian Express and The News Minute reported that RGUKT Basara extended its Dasara holidays after the campus started getting much less water than required.
Vice Chancellor A Govardhan said the institution needed about 20 lakh litres of water every day to meet the needs of students and staff.
However the supply from Godavari river had fallen to about 10 lakh litres daily leaving the campus with only half its normal requirement.
According to the university website, it has 9000 students and 1000 staff members.
The shortage was due to reduced water availability in Godavari river that supplies the campus through an intake well constructed in 2010. Problems with pumping infrastructure also contributed to the problem.
Only one of the three pumping motors at intake well was working as per Deccan Chronicle and two others had developed faults.
The disruption made it difficult for the university to fill up its water storage facilities and keep a regular supply.
University Reopening Postponed Until November 17
The water shortage also affected the university’s academic schedule.
RGUKT Basara initially extended Dasara break and asked students to attend online classes rather than immediately coming back to campus.
In October reports said the administration extended holiday until November 17 while looking for alternative water sources and solving pumping problems.
We didn’t want students coming back to a campus that couldn’t meet their daily water needs.
That has raised questions about whether campus infrastructure is ready for water shortages especially at a residential school with thousands of students.
Food Hygiene Complaints: Cockroach Reportedly Found in Mess Breakfast
Water supply is not the only problem that has put the university under scrutiny.
In June 2026 students at RGUKT Basara complained that cockroach was found in potato curry served for breakfast in one of hostel messes.
The incident took place in Mess 2, The New Indian Express reported. Students alleged that it was part of a pattern of unhygienic food preparation and complaints about mess maintenance repeated over time.
Students also mentioned previous suspected food poisoning cases and said their concerns had not been adequately addressed.
The incident led the university administration to set up a fact finding committee and issue a show-cause notice to caterer.
However, the administration later contested parts of the complaint.
The university committee told Deccan Chronicle (June 15) that the insect was found intact and asked whether it had been cooked with food or not. The committee also alleged outsiders were involved in spreading false information.
These were the administration’s findings and allegations. The incident nevertheless showed that there was still disagreement between students and university authorities over food hygiene and mess management.
Students Have Raised Concerns Over Basic Facilities Before
RGUKT Basara has had student complaints about basic amenities several times.
In March 2026 students protested about safety, medical facilities and food quality. The demonstration followed concerns over campus healthcare facilities and the death of a student who had been in treatment.
The Vice-Chancellor met with student representatives and reportedly told them that their demands would be met. Students then withdrew the protest.
In June 2022, hundreds of students protested over poor quality food, drinking water shortage in hostels and faculty shortages.
These incidents show that concerns about student welfare and campus facilities have been raised repeatedly over several years.
Political Accountability and the University's Responsibility
The latest controversy has also entered the political arena in Telangana with social media posts questioning how the state government is handling the infrastructure of the university.
The Congress government came to power in Telangana in December 2023. But the current water shortage has also been blamed by university officials and news reports on reduced Godavari water availability and malfunctioning pumping equipment.
Political responsibility for dealing with the crisis should therefore be weighed alongside university administrative decisions, maintenance of infrastructure and response of relevant government departments.
Regardless of the political debate, safe drinking water, hygienic food, functioning sanitation facilities and medical support are basic responsibilities of the institution and the authorities that manage it.
What Needs to Be Addressed at Basara IIIT?
The complaints show us that there are a number of areas that need attention now:
- Water quality testing: Independent testing should determine whether the water flowing through campus taps is contaminated and whether it is safe for consumption and other uses.
- Reliable water supply: The university and related departments need to repair malfunctioning pumps and build a reliable supply system.
- Food safety inspections: Hostel kitchens, food storage areas and mess facilities need to be inspected regularly.
- Student health monitoring: Students with skin problems or other symptoms should have access to medical evaluation.
- Transparent communication: administration should publish inspection results and communicate corrective measures being taken.
- Grievance redressal: Students need an effective system to report food, water and sanitation problems without fear of retaliation.
Conclusion
The latest complaints from IIIT Basara have again put student welfare and campus infrastructure in focus. A residential university with thousands of students cannot live with uncertainty over drinking water, sanitation and food hygiene for long periods.
The sewage-like water needs independent verification; the earlier complaint about food was denied by the administration but the underlying issues need a transparent response.
Students shouldn’t have to protest over and over again or rely on social media to bring basic facility issues to the public’s attention. We should be first and foremost trying to figure out what condition the water is in, that food is safe and lasting improvements are made to campus infrastructure now.
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