Eight years on, MAM College auditorium awaits completion

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 28

The under-construction auditorium on the premises of Government Maulana Azad Memorial (MAM) College, the work on which was started around eight years back, is yet to complete.

Sources said in order to strengthen the overall infrastructure in Government Degree Colleges in Jammu division, the state Higher Education Department had decided to construct new classrooms, buildings, auditoriums, etc. The sanctioning of auditorium in Government MAM College in 2008-09 was a part of that.

A visit to the auditorium site is enough to gauge the slow pace of work. The whitewash on the outer walls of the auditorium is almost fading while the doors of the main entrance are unfurnished.

“The sanctioning of auditorium for the college was a welcome initiative by the Higher Education Department and for that, a one-time grant of Rs2.9 crore was also received by the authorities. The construction began in 2009 but due to unknown reasons, the work stopped midway, resulting in the lapse of funds,” an official said.

“Due to the unavailability of the auditorium, the college has no option but to organise major functions such as annual day and prize-distribution function, etc, at other venues,” the official added.

Prof Anita Sudan, Principal of the college who recently took charge, said, “Yes, the auditorium building is yet to complete.” When asked whether any time limit was set for the completion of the building, she said, “I do not have any idea about that.”