MGP opposes railway construction near 108-year-old school in Mysuru

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The railway construction under way in the open space adjoining the 108-year-old Government Vontikoppal School in Mysuru. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) urged Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikant Reddy to take immediate steps to halt railway construction in the open space adjoining the 108-year-old Government Vontikoppal School, alleging that reported residential apartment construction was continuing despite orders from the Regional Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner to stop the work.

In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner on September 23, MGP working president S.K. Dinesh contended that the railways could not claim exemption from State and municipal regulations for constructing residential apartments under Section 11 of the Railways Act.

According to MGP, the exemption under Section 11 applies only to core railway infrastructure such as tracks, bridges, tunnels, stations, and yards, and does not extend to residential apartments or a Kalyana Mantapa. It maintained that such constructions must comply with State and municipal regulations.

Referring to provisions relating to parks and open spaces, MGP, in the letter, said the area where the construction was under way had been designated as open space in the Mysuru Master Plan and claimed that the railways would require permission from the Mysore Development Authority (MDA) for construction there.

Raising concerns over the school’s heritage value, MGP said the institution was more than 100 years old and that its heritage status restricted construction in its immediate surroundings. It also referred to a spot inspection by Regional Commissioner Nitish Patil, who, according to the MGP, had stated that State laws prohibited construction around schools that had existed for more than 12 years.

MGP said the Deputy Commissioner had issued orders to halt the construction. It also pointed to an assurance given by Union Minister for Railways V. Somanna to the school headmaster on September 20 that the school would be protected.

MGP has sought re-issuance of directions to railway officials to stop all construction around the school.

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