Students up in arms against road on campus

BANGALORE: Students and faculty of the Veterinary Science College, Hebbal are up in arms against BBMP's plan to construct a 60 feet road, bisecting their campus.

BBMP claims that the proposed road from Sanjay Nagar to the varsity campus is being built keeping the larger interest of public in mind. The teachers and students however allege that it is the builders interest that BBMP represents.

According to a circular issued on May 11 by the chief engineer of BBMP, a 60 feet road was being constructed from Central Excise Layout (Sanjay Nagar) to Bellary Road. The road was a demand made by the residents of these localities to BWSSB Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu.

The circular says that the road is being built with the minister's consent. The circular had asked the VC to accord necessary permission for the completion of the road.

"Let them build a flyover if they want to have the connectivity,'' said former VC of Veterinary College, R Srinivas Gowda. He said if the road is allowed to come up, it will destroy the environment of the area.

The college, built in 1905 by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, teaches veterinary science to thousands of students.

"BBMP has already constructed a road through the GKVK campus, and now proposes one through the Veterinary College. Soon, they might want a road through Lalbagh as well," said Vinay Srinivasa of environmental group Hasiru Usiru. "If at all there is a perceived need to make a road, let them follow the law of the land, frame a scheme as per the KTCP Act, have public consultations and a discussion in the BBMP council first," Vinay said.

Dean of the Veterinary College, Yathiraj said there was a letter from the BBMP seeking to survey the campus for the construction of the road. "The university so far hasn't given any permission for the survey," he added.