At GGDSD College, parking a major worry for students

Amarjot Kaur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 23

The moss-laden brick flooring of students’ parking at Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College (GGDSD College) in Sector 32, Chandigarh, has become a niggling worry for college students.

With over 10 students resorting to an indefinite hunger strike, accusing the college authorities of callous approach towards their demands, Student council secretary Anmol Bhardwaj said, “Despite the administration’s approval for a cemented parking, for which Rs 11,77,000 was sanctioned under the MPLADS, the college authorities are dilly-dallying over the issue.”

Bhardwaj informed that the problem of students slipping because of the moss and small plants growing through the gaps between poorly interlocked bricks, which have also given way to the accumulation of sand and dust on the area that turns into a mud-puddle during rain, has repeatedly been brought to the notice of the college Principal. “However, we finally wrote to the college Principal on December 26, but he refused to acknowledge it on the pretext of not having enough funds,” said Anmol.

He added, “The next day, we asked the college authorities if we could get funds from MP Kirron Kher and they agreed.” Subsequently, a letter requesting funds for a concrete floor in the parking, signed by Vice-Principal Balraj Thapar, was sent to Kher on December 29, a copy of which was given to this correspondent. The communication between the college authorities and Kher was marked to DC Mandip Singh Brar, requesting action, in a letter dated January 17, 2019 from Kher’s office. It reads, “The work may please be carried out by the Municipal Corporation (MC) under the MPLADS. The above work may please be scrutinised and technical, financial and administrative sanction issued as soon as possible on receipt of this letter.” A copy of the letter was also sent to Principal BK Sharma.

Following the instructions, with reference to the memo dated January 21, MC Executive Engineer, Roads Division No. 2, assessed the area and the funds were sanctioned. The work was to be completed within three months.

“Initially, the Principal was keen on the demand. In fact, on February 8, a tender was floated by the MC in this regard and the work was allotted to a private company, G&G Builders. However, when the truck loaded with sand and cement arrived at the college gate day before yesterday, the Principal retracted from his decision,” said Anmol.

Though college Principal BK Sharma refused to answer the calls or messages in this regard, Dean (Development) Ajay Sharma stated in a reply, “We are committed to provide improved parking facilities. We are exploring alternatives with the Chandigarh Administration and have submitted revised plans already. We are waiting for the approval. We have already requested students to wait for a few days. I hope they will understand.”

What college authorities say

• Though  college Principal BK Sharma refused to answer any calls or messages in  this regard, a reply from the college’s Dean Development, Ajay Sharma,  stated: “We are committed to  provide improved parking facilities. We are exploring  alternatives with the Chandigarh Administration and have submitted revised  plans already. We are waiting for the approval. We have already requested  students to wait for a few days. I hope they will  understand.”