Mysuru: Due to the dilapidated condition of the nearly 160-year-old Maharaja PU College building, the oldest surviving schools, the life of 2,200 students are under severe risk. On Thursday, a portion of the plastering and ceiling of the building got collapsed. Luckily, there were no injuries as no one was present in the spot during that time.
The life of all 2,200 students and more than 60 teaching and non-teaching staff is at risk. The roofing and the plastering might collapse anytime. The building after being constructed in 1866 has not been re-plastered even once, other than a few minor repairs. The students who don’t want to disclose their identity say that when they come to college, their mind is not focused on classes due to the dilapidated condition of the building.
TR Siddaraju, Principal, Maharaja PU College said, “Since 2014 we are requesting the government to take up repair works, but unfortunately nothing has been taken up till now. After Thursday’s incident, MLA Vasu has taken up the issue very seriously and even asked the PWD engineers to visit the spot to estimate the overall cost for the repair works. On the direction from MLA Vasu, engineers came and estimated that overall cost to take up the repair work of the building. The cost may go up to Rs 3.5crore. MLA Vasu too assured to bring this to the notice of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and do his best to take up the repair works of the age old building. Apart from repairing the building, the government should also immediately take up the construction of the compound wall and more toilet blocks. As of now, at a time just ten students can go to the toilet, but we want a facility were in more than 50 students can go for toilet at a time. To maintain and look after the labs in the college, the government should also take immediate steps to appoint an attender for the college. We need at least five attenders to look after our various science labs. Due to the lack of attenders, it has become difficult for the teaching staff to take up practical classes”.
Regina P Malaki, DDPU (in-charge), Mysuru district said, “I too inspected the spot. The building, especially the plastering is in bad shape. We have brought it to the notice of the government. Even MLA Vasu has taken the initiative in this regard. The government has told us to identify the buildings which are in need of attention that is needed to be repaired. We are on to it and in a few days’ time we will be submitting the list. With regarding the maintenance charge given to the ollege, it is decided by the government. But still, I will try to bring the issue to their notice and try to do my best to enhance the maintenance charge”.
What students say
Most of the students are worried about the building. “The roofing and the plastering may collapse any time. On Thursday, a part of the roofing and even the plastering collapsed, but luckily no one was in that spot during the incident. Hence, we request the government to immediately to take up re-plastering and roofing work in the building. Every day for us, it is just like a new lease of life,” added students speaking on anonymity.
College gets just Rs 2500 per year for its maintenance
Believe it or not! The college which has got 34 rooms and more than 2,200 students gets just Rs 2500 per year for its maintenance which includes electricity charge and maintenance of toilet. Surprisingly, every month the college pays Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 for electricity itself. So through the college betterment committee fund, they are somehow running the college.
It is the oldest surviving school
The school was started in 1886. It was Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar who started Raja Free School in this building. Pre-University was started in the building in 1972.
RK Narayan is also the alumni of this school
RK Narayan, former minister H Vishwanath, MLA Sara Mahesh also studied in this school. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too had tried for high school, but didn’t get the seat.
