Institute for physically challenged to lose building

 Among the buildings marked for demolition to make way for the Cantonment Metro station is the one that has housed the technical training centre for the deaf and dumb  for decades.

The institute, one of its kind in the state, provides industrial training to children in mechanical, fitter and electrician trade. More than 500 students have been beneficiaries of the  Technical Training Centre for the Deaf  since it was established in 1982. The institute offers courses at heavily subsidised fees.    

After BMRCL marked the building for acquisition in mid-2017, anxious staff and students of the institute have been writing to Metro officials, explaining the problems they will face if they have to shift to another place.

"Our grants and salaries will be held up by the department of employment and training. We have to apply for reaffiliation and complete several other processes to settle the issues. This will affect the admission process of the 2018 academic year," the latest letter states.

The institute has obtained the space on lease from the BBMP for a period of 50 years. Sources said the institute was offered an alternative working place at the ESI building nearby. "The place is not suitable for training and it will have a negative effect on the children," a source in the institute said.

The staff and students have also requested BMRCL to share copies of any correspondence they had with the management of the institute in providing solutions. However, they are yet to get a reply.

To a question, BMRCL managing director Mahendra Jain said suitable alternative arrangements will be made for the school for special children to ensure no inconvenience is caused.