HPU centre cries for attention

Bhanu P Lohumi

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 17

The heritage building housing the Himachal Pradesh University Centre of Evening Studies is facing the threat of extinction, thanks to the apathy of the authorities, which have failed to ensure a proper maintenance of the building.

The building, which once housed the St Andrew’s Church, is sandwiched between General Post Office and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and just 100 m away from the Scandal Point. The building has been a victim of neglect for long and the situation has become alarming, warranting urgent repairs. The State Library which was shifted from Solan is also located in the 100-year-old building.

The adjoining Manse Block has developed huge cracks and is sinking gradually. The rain water is seeping into the building and narrow openings are witnessed in the inner and outer walls of classrooms and faculty rooms jeopardising the safety of students and the staff.

The building has become inhabitable and unsafe due to perpetual deterioration and the condition is so precarious that even light seismic tremors can cause a major casualty. Even the college library and the Principal’s office have been damaged due to rain water seepage.

The complex is spread over an area of 2,021 sqm and was under the possession of Himachal Pradesh University, but belonged to the Education Department. The issue of title has also been settled paving way for major repairs.

Realising the urgency of the situation, the complex was inspected by HPU Registrar KK Sharma in the presence of Principal Meenakshi F Paul, faculty members and executive engineer and found that the building needed urgent repairs.

During the inspection, it was found that the sinking building posed a risk to the staff and students. Besides the State Library of the Education Department, there are 700 students studying at this centre.

The Registrar has written to the Chief Architect and structural engineers of Public Works Department to visit the building and inform whether the Manse block could be repaired or declared unsafe. The matter has also been brought to the notice of the Shimla Municipal Corporation for necessary guidance. The Registrar has also asked the government to transfer the title of the land in the name of the university.

In 1962, Punjab University Evening College was started in this building.

Registrar inspects building

• HPU Registrar KK Sharma inspected the building in the presence of Principal Meenakshi F Paul, faculty members and executive engineer and found that it needed urgent repairs 
• The Registrar has written to the Chief Architect and structural engineers of Public Works Department to visit the building and inform whether the Manse block could be repaired or declared unsafe