The modern gym at SPPU’s SET Bhavan had been a hub for students, teachers, and non-teaching staff seeking to maintain their physical and mental well-being. However, the gym was abruptly closed for weeks due to the expiry of the contractor’s tender period, leaving hundreds without access to essential fitness facilities.
The gym’s closure stemmed from administrative delays in renewing the contractor’s agreement. After the original one-year contract expired, a six-month extension was granted, followed by another three-month extension. When this period lapsed, the gym was shut, causing widespread inconvenience.
The closure affected not just students but also university staff who regularly used the gym. Many expressed that the lack of access hampered their daily routines and impacted both physical and mental health.
The extended closure did not go unnoticed. Student unions, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and Senate members voiced strong opposition to the administration’s slow response.
Student unions and Senate members warned of campus-wide protests if the gym was not reopened promptly. They argued that while academic and other university activities continued as usual, the gym’s closure was unfair and detrimental to student welfare.
Facing mounting pressure, Vice Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi intervened, granting a three-month extension to the previous contractor to ensure the gym could reopen while the tender process continued. This decision was welcomed but also seen as a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution.
Krishna Bhandalkar, a Senate Member, emphasized, “The university should pay attention to such issues and make decisions quickly. The dual policy and apathy in implementing the decision-making process are causing losses to the university. Students and staff are suffering due to these delays, and authorities must ensure this does not happen again”
With the Vice Chancellor’s intervention, the gym is set to reopen, bringing relief to the campus community. However, students and staff are demanding:
A streamlined, transparent tender process to avoid future closures.
Timely updates and involvement of student representatives in facility management decisions.
Ensuring that all campus amenities, from gyms to libraries, remain accessible and well-maintained.
