One among the premier educational hubs in the country, the University of Mysore (UoM) has turned its back towards maintenance of its unoccupied staff quarters, and securing the houses which were built utilising tax payers’ money.
There has been a surge in illegal and immoral activities, theft and merry-making through alcohol consumption, use of sedatives and drugs on the very quarters which is intended to house Professors and lecturers.
Bulbs stolen
If some of the quarters in the Manasagangothri campus are in bad shape, the miscreants have broken open the doors of few houses and have robbed electric bulbs.
There are more than 330 houses in the university quarters located in various patches within the Manasagangothri campus, near Kukkarahalli lake, near Ramaswamy circle and other locations. The spacious houses located in the university campus off the SJCE road is the worst hit with the menace.
Though, a majority of houses are occupied, about 15 - 20 per cent of the houses near SJCE are unoccupied. Due to poor maintenance, many of these old buildings have begun to crumble and are no more fit for human living - one among other reasons for university faculty to stay away from it.
Sources said the faculty also shy away from these quarters fearing snakes and other reptiles active in the area, due to thick bushes surrounding the quarters. Moreover, the quarters has turned a haven for the miscreants for their illegal activities. Though, the many faculty members residing in the quarters know about it, they keep quiet out of fear.
“Some of the unoccupied houses have turned a place for gambling, consuming alcohol and other immoral activities. These people access the entry from the backyard door, which is either unlocked or broken. The university authorities have cared little about these places. Moreover, students are also involved,” a resident and a faculty of the University told Deccan Herald on condition of anonymity.
Dilapidated state
Another resident says, some of the buildings are in a dilapidated state and could crumble anytime.
“There has been a severe neglect of these buildings for years now. These houses with spacious plinth area and compound are an asset. It should be protected by carrying out repairs,” he adds.
Sandalwood tree felled
A half-grown sandalwood tree was found felled at the premises of department of Biotechnology in the University campus here on Monday, exposing the serious lacunae on the security front in Manasagangothri campus.
The miscreants have made away with the trunk of the tree chopping the branches. The overnight act shocked the staff of the department who returned to work on Monday after the weekend. No university authorities visited the spot till afternoon.